PC and Smartphone Prices Could Rise Up to 8% as Memory Shortages Deepen

PC and smartphone prices are likely to increase over the next year as shortages of consumer DRAM and NAND memory worsen. The supply imbalance is being driven by surging demand from AI data centers, which are consuming a growing share of high-bandwidth memory output.

Market research firm IDC warns that PC manufacturers are already preparing price increases of up to eight percent as memory costs rise. Even under current conditions, IDC expects the PC market to contract further next year, with shortages limiting supply and pushing prices higher across mainstream models.

Major PC vendors, including Dell, Lenovo, HP, Asus, and Acer, have confirmed upcoming price adjustments tied directly to higher component costs. Analysts expect other OEMs to follow, meaning consumers are likely to see higher prices rather than isolated increases from a few brands.

The timing is unfavorable for buyers. Microsoft's push toward AI-capable PCs, combined with the end of mainstream Windows 10 support in October, is already nudging users toward hardware upgrades. Rising memory prices add another cost pressure, particularly for systems with larger RAM configurations.

Smartphones and tablets are also affected. IDC estimates that average smartphone prices could rise three to five percent under moderate conditions, and up to eight percent if shortages intensify. Manufacturers may attempt to offset costs by reducing base storage or memory rather than raising headline prices.

Apple and Samsung are partially insulated in the short term, having secured memory supply contracts covering the next 18 to 24 months. Smaller manufacturers do not have the same buffer and are more exposed to spot-market pricing.

IDC expects memory constraints to persist into 2027, which would end the long period of cheap RAM and SSD upgrades. If shortages continue, prices for standalone memory kits and consumer SSDs are also likely to remain elevated.