Where are the antitrust regulators? Samsung raised memory prices by 100%, SK hynix is keeping up
Ahead of the quarterly reports from Samsung and SK hynix, the memory market is experiencing a sharp price increase. According to South Korean sources, consumer DRAM and SSDs from Samsung have become two to three times more expensive over the last two months. NAND flash memory prices are also poised for a jump in the first quarter.
Analysts attribute this to Samsung prioritizing the production of more expensive server memory, demand for which has grown due to AI development. The company is already experiencing a shortage of consumer DRAM: its inventory has shrunk to six weeks compared to the usual 10–12. This allows it to actively raise prices.
According to The Elec, the price of the Samsung T7 1TB portable SSD on the domestic market has risen from 140,000 to over 280,000 won. Purchase prices for modules for partners have also increased significantly.
The increase is not limited to Samsung. SK hynix and other major NAND manufacturers have also announced price hikes of 50–80% for the first quarter. This indicates a sustained industry-wide trend that should positively impact the financial results of leading companies.