"Supply shortages and big price increases for RAM and storage have been a major drag for enthusiasts and PC builders in recent months. And while we haven't yet seen large, widespread price increases for memory-dependent products like pre-built laptop PCs, smartphones, and graphics cards, most companies expect that to change this year if shortages continue. In the meantime, memory manufacturers are riding high demand and high prices to record profits."
"In revenue guidance released this week, Samsung Electronics predicts it will make between 19.9 and 20.1 trillion Korean won in operating profit (roughly $13.8 billion USD) in Q4 2025, compared to just 6.49 trillion won in Q4 of 2024. Samsung is way more than just a memory business, of course, but its fortunes often rise and fall along with its memory division; Samsung's profits were dropping dramatically in 2023 partly because of an oversupply of memory that made its memory division lose billions of dollars."
"Less-diversified companies that primarily make memory are also raking in money lately. SK Hynix posted its "highest-ever quarterly performance" in Q3 of 2025 with 11.38 trillion Korean won (about $7.8 billion) in operating profit, up from 7.03 trillion in Q3 of 2024, and an operating margin that increased from 40 percent to 47 percent. SK Hynix credits "expanding investments in AI infrastructure" and "surging demand for AI servers" for its performance."
Supply shortages and large price increases for RAM and storage have burdened enthusiasts and PC builders. Widespread price increases for memory-dependent products like pre-built laptops, smartphones, and graphics cards have not yet emerged but are expected if shortages persist. Memory manufacturers are posting record profits driven by high demand and elevated prices. Samsung forecasts about 19.9–20.1 trillion won in Q4 2025 operating profit versus 6.49 trillion won a year earlier. SK Hynix reported 11.38 trillion won operating profit in Q3 2025, citing AI infrastructure investments and surging AI server demand. Micron reported substantial net income growth and record free cash flow while exiting consumer RAM and storage.
Read at Ars Technica
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