Memory price surge begins to cool as consumers hit affordability limit — AI demand still keeps DRAM and NAND prices climbing through Q3 2026
Summary
TrendForce says DRAM and NAND prices will continue to rise through Q3 2026, but AI-driven gains are slowing as PC and smartphone makers reach their affordability limits.
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The AI capex cycle is now pushing memory into a much more aggressive pricing upcycle than expected.
— Rohan Paul (@rohanpaul_ai) July 3, 2026
UBS now expects DRAM prices to rise 32% quarter-over-quarter in Q3 and 18% in Q4, while NAND prices are expected to rise 30% in Q3 and 12% in Q4.
AI infrastructure is eating… https://t.co/uuGWSHdOVs pic.twitter.com/sXyogBgMb6
DRAM demand is bifurcated
— Austin Lyons (@austinsemis) July 3, 2026
- datacenters: inelastic
- consumers: elastic
Means when DRAM prices go up, consumer demand will go down
But inelastic datacenter market gobbles up all the surplus supply
In the meantime, inflation for consumers
Yes, more supply coming online… https://t.co/jIcQYrnzXP