Global memory chip shortage may push up prices of phones and PCs in 2026

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If you have been thinking about buying a new smartphone or laptop next year, there is a chance it might cost more than you expect. That’s because the global tech industry is facing a serious shortage of memory chips, the tiny components that store data in devices like phones, computers, tablets, and even AI systems. According to research firm IDC, this shortage has reached an unprecedented level in late 2025 and could affect pricing and availability of popular electronics well into 2027.

Memory chips are essential for everything from running apps on your phone to storing files on your laptop. Two main types are DRAM, which helps devices run programs, and NAND/SSD, which stores photos, videos, and files. Right now, demand for these chips far exceeds supply. But this time it isn’t just a typical imbalance caused by shifting trends. It is happening because the tech world is rapidly changing how it uses memory.

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has grown at an astonishing pace. AI systems, especially those used by big cloud companies like Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon, require massive amounts of memory to work properly. This has led major memory chip makers such as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron to shift their factories and resources toward producing memory for AI data centers, where profits are higher. In doing so, they have reduced the production of memory used in everyday devices like smartphones and PCs.

The result is a tighter supply of general-purpose memory chips and much higher prices. For device makers, memory costs make up a significant portion of the total cost of a smartphone or laptop. When those costs go up, companies are left with difficult choices. They can raise prices for consumers, cut down on memory specs, or both.

This shift in chip production could have a noticeable impact in 2026. In the smartphone world, cheaper phones may no longer offer the same high-end memory features they once did. That could push prices up or reduce choices for budget buyers. Bigger brands like Apple and Samsung are better positioned to manage the shortage because they secure memory supplies long in advance. Smaller brands that compete on thin profit margins could struggle and might pass those costs on to buyers.

The personal computer market is also feeling the squeeze. Many PC makers have already warned of price increases of up to 20 percent next year. It’s a perfect storm that arrives just as a new wave of “AI PCs” with advanced features was supposed to boost sales. Those machines need even more memory, which is now in short supply and expensive.

IDC says that if the shortage continues through 2026, we could see fewer devices sold globally and average prices rising noticeably. In the best case, smartphone sales might drop a little while prices go up modestly. In a worse scenario, both sales and prices take a bigger hit. For PCs, sales could shrink even more.

For consumers, this means that the era of cheap, abundant memory may be over for now. Buying a new phone, laptop, or AI-ready device in 2026 may cost more, and you might have fewer choices. How long this lasts depends on how quickly chip makers can expand production and whether demand for memory begins to balance out. Until then, tech could become a bit more expensive — not because we want it to, but because the chips that make it work are hard to find.