Fluctuation in prices for NAND and DRAM components, witnessing an ascent of up to 20%, primarily due to heightened demand for AI technologies and buoyant supply circumstances.
In the final quarter of 2025, the global semiconductor industry is experiencing a significant surge in NAND and DRAM prices. This trend, according to DigiTimes, is primarily driven by the off-season surge in AI infrastructure build-outs and the resulting supply tightness.
CSP customers have shown strong priority purchasing interest in 3D NAND due to its faster read speed and larger die capacities. This demand has led major players such as Samsung, Micron, SK Hynix, and Intel to agree on production strengthening contracts of up to 20% for 3D NAND and DRAM, as reported by DigiTimes.
The increased demand for NAND and DRAM aligns with the broader theme of data-center-led flash tightness. This theme is further reiterated by the strength in Phison's revenue, which saw a 23% year-over-year increase in August, reaching NT$5.934 billion. The strength in Phison's revenue is attributed to non-consumer demand and closer tie-ups with NAND makers.
Samsung's next-gen V9 NAND for 2026 is nearly sold out, and cloud customers are reserving capacity for this product due to its improved density and cost advantages. Micron, another major player, has temporarily suspended DRAM and NAND price quotations to reassess allocations due to customer forecasts pointing to shortages.
The supply of nearline HDDs is also constrained, forcing hyperscalers to accelerate plans for QLC SSD deployments in 2026. TrendForce warns that legacy DRAM types remain under the most pressure as capacity is reallocated, potentially affecting winter bargains on NVMe drives.
As a result of these factors, retail memory prices may increase. It is recommended to watch these prices closely and move quickly when a good price pops up, as it probably won't stick around for long. SanDisk has pushed for a roughly 10% NAND price hike in September.
TrendForce flags a structural shortage in nearline HDDs that is forcing hyperscalers to accelerate plans for QLC SSD deployments in 2026. This shortage, coupled with the demand for 3D NAND, gives flash makers more pricing power than usual in the year's final quarter. AI is rewriting the cloud storage hierarchy, further enhancing the flash makers' position in the market.
In conclusion, the semiconductor industry is experiencing a significant surge in NAND and DRAM prices due to the off-season surge in AI infrastructure build-outs and the resulting supply tightness. It is essential for consumers to stay informed and act quickly when good prices become available.
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