DRAM Market Soars: Prices Spike Despite Looming Challenges

Despite the significant price surge in DRAM memory that began around October, recent statistics indicate that by the end of the third quarter, manufacturers of this memory substantially increased their revenues. Created by Gemini Analysts from TrendForce have shared statistics showing that the DRAM market in monetary terms grew by 30.9% last quarter, reaching $41.4 billion. TrendForce analysts predict that in the current quarter, shipment growth will slow significantly due to shortages; however, given the prices, revenue will clearly be even higher. They forecast that contract prices for standard DRAM memory will rise by 45-50% compared to the third quarter. Among companies, Hynix, Samsung, and Micron remain the leaders. It should be noted, though, that on a quarterly basis, Hynix has lost market share, while Micron managed to increase it.

Looking forward to Q4 2025, TrendForce anticipates that DRAM prices might face upward pressure due to supply chain constraints and increasing demand, particularly driven by new advancements in AI and data processing technologies. Experts suggest that the shift towards 1-Alpha nodes in DRAM manufacturing could play a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency and capacity, impacting prices in the longer term.

In their latest earnings call, Samsung highlighted the strategic expansion of their semiconductor division to counteract potential market volatility, emphasizing increased investments in memory chip innovation. Micron has also announced it will focus on developing next-gen DRAM chips tailored for machine learning and computational workloads. Hynix, meanwhile, reported advancements in DDR5 technology that promise to cater to the growing requirements of modern data centers.

Industry analysts note that while DRAM market dynamics remain challenging due to economic uncertainties and resource limitations, the sector’s resilience is bolstered by continuous technological innovation and strategic positioning by key players.