Global memory shortages driven by booming AI demand are set to affect not only data centers—projected to consume 70% of worldwide memory in 2026—but also the automotive, consumer electronics, and TV markets. Legacy RAM production has declined, causing manufacturers to scramble for allocations, with 2028 capacity already sold. Prices for key components like memory are surging, potentially adding 10% to electronics costs and 30% to smartphone costs, reports Bruno Ferreira of Tom’s Hardware. Industry analysts warn this “permanent reallocation” toward AI datacenters could depress PC and smartphone sales and push up costs across everyday devices. Ferreira writes:
Soon enough, you might not even be able to buy a calculator.
The tech press has been lit up like Chernobyl reactor #4 for months about shortages in memory, solid-state drives, and hard drives. The shortages are driven by explosive AI demand, and the latest report says that up to 70 percent of the memory produced worldwide in 2026 will be consumed by data centers. However, those specific topics have yet to be part of the global zeitgeist. That’s quickly changing, as evidenced by a Wall Street Journal article (WSJ) describing just how dire the situation is, and how the fallout from the RAM shortage is set to irradiate several markets not directly linked to computing.The WSJ details how the exponential rise in memory is all but guaranteed to hit the automotive sector, TVs, and consumer electronics, among many others. […]
To state that most everything these days uses RAM is obvious, but even common household items like televisions, Bluetooth speakers, set-top boxes, and even “smart” appliances like fridges could become extremely pricey. […]
IDC already updated its 2026 forecast with a 5% dip in smartphone sales and 9% on PCs — deals that may be altered further in just a few months’ time. The firm also calls the current situation a “permanent reallocation” of supplier capacity towards AI datacenters. TrendForce’s Avril Wu concurs, as “[she has] tracked the memory sector for almost 20 years, and this time really is different […] It really is the craziest time ever.”
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