The Memory Crunch Is Coming, And It’s Better to Act Now

Across multiple reports, prices for DRAM and flash storage are significantly higher now than in recent years, and forecasts indicate continued upward pressure through 2026. 

In 2025, RAM and SSD prices surged sharply, with some components climbing over 300% between August and December last year. For businesses planning their IT refreshes, device rollouts, or cloud expansions, these trends could mean higher costs, longer lead times and harder choices ahead. 

What’s Driving Memory Prices Up

Here’s the core dynamic:

AI demand is massive 

Data centres powering large AI models require huge amounts of DRAM, high bandwidth memory and SSD storage, often orders of magnitude more than traditional servers. This is pulling global memory supply toward high-margin, high-performance products and away from mainstream enterprise, industrial, and consumer segments.

Supply isn’t keeping up

Memory manufacturers have tightened production following years of oversupply and are now prioritising new technologies and AI-oriented components. That means fewer older DRAM and NAND flash memory products are available for regular hardware refresh cycles. 

Price increases are real and structural 

Across multiple reports and market trackers, DRAM and flash storage pricing is significantly higher now than in recent years. Forecasts suggest continued increases through early 2026. This isn’t a short lived spike; it’s a structural market shift. 

So, what does this mean for IT buyers?

Hardware gets more expensive

Memory is one of the largest cost components in modern devices, especially servers, workstations, and high-performance laptops, so rising memory prices directly push up the price of new devices. 

Longer lead times and supply pressure 

Buyers are pre-purchasing memory early to avoid cost inflation, which drains inventory channels and means longer waits for stock.

IT refresh cycles get costlier 

Companies that delay upgrades or replacements may find themselves paying significantly more later for the same gear, or having to compromise on performance and capacity. 

Why now could be the smartest time to act

Here, we have crafted an actionable plan to get ahead of the impending price increases, to put your organisation on the front foot with your 2026 IT planning:

• Encourage your team and colleagues to look after devices in their day-to-day use. Simple habits extend asset life and reduce the frequency of replacements.

For guidance, see our guide: “How to Preserve Device Value: Maximising Corporate IT Asset Value Across the Lifecycle.” 

• For devices that do need replacing, consider advancing purchases before further price increases.

Where possible, look at refurbished alternatives, they often deliver comparable performance at significantly lower cost, with warranties to provide assurance in longevity.

• Don’t leave old devices accumulating in cupboards. Maximise resale value by processing end-of-life devices through a responsible ITAD provider as soon as realistically possible. The longer devices sit idle, the more value they lose.

The memory squeeze is already shaping how IT teams plan purchases and refresh cycles. Waiting could mean higher costs, less choice, and slower rollout timelines. 

Are you ready to future-proof your IT strategy, before memory prices make it even more expensive?

To learn more about how Reconome can advise and support your organisation in applying these resolutions, please contact us at rethink@recono.me