The global RAM shortage is no longer just a concern for PC builders or tech enthusiasts—it’s poised to impact nearly every device you rely on, from smartphones and game consoles to laptops and home routers. Prices have surged dramatically, with some types of memory tripling or even sextupling in cost, all driven by skyrocketing demand from AI companies that are consuming vast quantities of DRAM to power their models. This surge has created a ripple effect across the entire tech supply chain. Even if you don’t buy memory sticks, you’ll feel the pinch through higher prices, fewer choices, or delayed product launches. Analysts from IDC, Omdia, and Counterpoint agree that 2025 was a record year for smartphone sales, but the momentum is expected to reverse in 2026 due to the memory crunch. Smartphone manufacturers are already feeling the strain. Qualcomm’s CEO Cristiano Amon warned that the company’s smartphone business will see a “100 percent” drop, largely due to memory shortages. Memory makes up 10–20% of a phone’s materials cost, and IDC now forecasts average phone prices could rise by up to 8%, with cheaper models seeing even steeper hikes. A $500 phone could easily cost $600 or more, while flagship models may not see RAM upgrades—Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro may stick with 12GB instead of moving to 16GB, and Google’s Pixel 10A already ships with only 8GB of RAM. Apple, despite its strong supplier leverage, is not immune. Reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate Apple may pay 80% to 100% more for memory this year, with further increases expected in the second half. CEO Tim Cook acknowledged the challenge, saying the company is evaluating options to protect its gross margins. The impact extends to gaming devices. The Nintendo Switch 2 could face a price hike, and Sony’s PS6 may be delayed until 2028 or even 2029. Valve has already responded by discontinuing the $399 Steam Deck and raising the base price to $549. The Steam Machine has been delayed, and the Steam Deck OLED is out of stock due to the memory crisis. Other handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go 2 and MSI Claw 8 AI Plus are now more expensive or less powerful, with some models priced at $1,199 or higher. PCs are also suffering. Laptop makers like Lenovo, Dell, HP, Asus, and Acer are planning price increases of 10% to 30%. Dell has already raised prices by $55 to $765. Framework, a modular laptop maker, says its cost per gigabyte of RAM has jumped from $10 to $16, forcing it to raise prices by 6% to 16%. Even Lenovo, which has been hoarding RAM, reports a 40% to 50% increase in memory costs and warns prices could double soon. The root of the problem lies with the top three DRAM producers—Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron—who control 95% of the global supply. While they’re profitable and expanding production, new factories won’t come online until mid-2027 at the earliest, with meaningful output not expected until 2028. Micron and SK Hynix have both confirmed the shortage will persist through 2027, and Intel’s CEO says there’s “no relief until 2028.” Meanwhile, the memory makers are choosing to expand slowly, wary of repeating past mistakes when overproduction led to losses. Samsung plans only a 5% increase in wafer supply this year. In short, the RAM shortage is not a temporary glitch—it’s a structural shift driven by AI demand. And unless you’re ready to pay more, accept less performance, or wait years for new devices, the impact will be unavoidable.