Samsung’s Strategic Move: DRAM Price Hike Amid Global Chip Shortage

Samsung Electronics, according to Reuters, has also raised DRAM memory prices. And very substantially. We are talking about an increase of 50-60% in just November. According to the source, the contract prices for 32GB DDR5 memory modules surged to $239 in November, compared to $149 in September. Samsung also hiked the prices of 16GB and 128GB DDR5 chips by approximately 50%-to $135 and $1194, respectively. Prices for 64GB and 96GB DDR5 chips rose by more than 30%.

Samsung has not commented on these figures, but, firstly, we have already seen price increases in recent weeks, and secondly, other companies are also raising prices, so it would be strange if Samsung did not join them. The source adds that the chip market crisis has become so severe that it has triggered panic buying among some clients. TrendForce analyst Ellie Wang stated that Samsung is likely to increase quarterly contract prices by 40–50% from October to December, which is above the industry-wide average of 30% expected overall.

Recent trends indicate a tightening supply of DRAM chips, attributed to ongoing semiconductor supply chain disruptions which have impacted electronic device manufacturers globally. This shortage has been compounded by increased demand for electronic devices during the pandemic, leading to strategic price adjustments by major suppliers like Samsung.