The Korean outlet Hankyung reports that the firms expect shortages to stretch across several quarters, leaving consumers to swallow soaring RAM prices that have become nearly unaffordable. Demand for DRAM is at its highest, and supply cannot keep up.

A SpokesSamsung said: “Rather than rapidly expanding facilities, we will pursue a strategy of maintaining long-term profitability. We will minimise the risk of oversupply through a capital expenditure (CAPEX) strategy that balances customer demand and pricing.”

Scaling DRAM production is not as simple as flipping a switch. Samsung and SK hynix are still crawling out of the disastrous COVID-era memory cycle, when demand cratered, and they slashed output. Now those cuts have come back to bite them. If they suddenly pump billions into new capacity, they fear an oversupply mess once the AI frenzy cools down.

Suppliers reckon shortages could run into 2028, which is why manufacturers are shifting to short-term contracts to hike prices more quickly. That focus on profitability explains why neither Samsung nor SK hynix is rushing to build more fabs.

Reports say consumers should not expect any relief for at least the next quarter or two, meaning RAM, GPUs, and anything reliant on DRAM will remain stuck in a supply crunch that shows no signs of easing.