**Summary:**
– The ongoing global memory shortage is leading to increased prices for computers and mobile phones.
– Major manufacturers, including ASUS and Qisda, have noted an imbalance in memory supply and demand, prompting price adjustments.
– DDR4 and DDR5 memory prices are projected to remain high, impacting consumer electronics through 2026.
As the technology industry grapples with supply challenges, recent reports indicate a significant surge in prices not only for mobile phones but also for computers. This escalation is largely attributed to a deepening global memory shortage, compelling major memory manufacturers like Corsair and ADATA to suspend orders amid rising costs.
Prominent PC manufacturers, including ASUS, are feeling the effects of this price hike. ASUS co-CEO, Hu Shubin, addressed this issue during the company’s third quarter briefing, emphasizing that should the current imbalance between memory supply and demand persist, product prices will inevitably undergo adjustments. This statement underscores the broader implications of the memory crisis on consumer electronics pricing.
Throughout the first half of the year, ASUS has been acutely aware of memory shortages, subsequently extending their inventory cycle to manage the impending challenges. By the close of the third quarter, ASUS reported maintaining approximately two months of component inventory paired with nearly two months of finished product stock, amounting to a total of four months in safety stock. This reserve is designed to cushion the effects of immediate shortages.
Nevertheless, Hu Shubin highlighted the need for ASUS to engage closely with DRAM suppliers to tailor their product offerings. If supply and demand remain unbalanced, further price increases are anticipated, necessitating strategic price adjustments under suitable conditions.
Adding to this narrative, Chen Qihong, chairman of Qisda Group, has provided insight into the state of memory costs. He revealed that both DDR4 and DDR5 prices have seen alarming rises, describing the DDR4 market as currently enduring a “terrible wave of shortages.” Given this trajectory, he forecasts these shortages may persist throughout the entirety of 2026.
He elaborated that the memory inventory accumulated in preceding periods has been rapidly depleted, leading to a situation where DDR4 products are now available on a “first-come, first-served” basis, with limited shipments being made.
As we move forward, the implications of this memory crisis are expansive. Consumers should brace for increased costs across a range of electronic devices, as manufacturers respond to the stark realities of their supply chains. With demand for computing power and mobile connectivity only expected to grow, the impact of these price adjustments reinforces the necessity for both consumers and manufacturers to navigate this challenging landscape with agility and foresight.
In conclusion, the current memory shortage is reshaping the landscape of technology pricing. Both manufacturers and consumers must adapt to these ongoing changes to maintain competitiveness and access to essential electronic devices. Preparing for an extended period of high memory costs will be critical as the market adjusts to new pricing realities.
