The global technology supply chain is facing a critical shortage of DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory) chips, a situation experts are calling “RAMageddon.” The scarcity, driven by surging demand from artificial intelligence (AI) companies, is poised to significantly increase the cost of electronics ranging from smartphones and laptops to gaming consoles and even automobiles.
The crisis stems from the intense competition for limited DRAM production capacity. Leading AI developers – including those behind ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Amazon Q, and Meta AI – are aggressively securing supplies from the three dominant manufacturers: Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung. These companies are prioritizing contracts with the AI sector, leaving other industries struggling to secure necessary components.
According to recent reports, the price of RAM has already tripled, quadrupled, or even sextupled depending on the specific chip type. This price surge is not expected to be temporary. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan stated in early February that “there will be no relief until 2028,” a forecast supported by Micron, which confirmed that its new Idaho factory won’t be fully operational until mid-2027, with actual production not anticipated until 2028. Samsung plans only a modest 5% increase in wafer supply this year.
The impact on consumers is projected to be substantial. Industry analysis suggests that memory currently represents 15 to 20 percent of the material cost of a mid-range smartphone. A $500 phone could therefore see its price increase to over $2,200, according to estimates. Apple is reportedly bracing for an 80 to 100 percent increase in memory costs this quarter following renegotiations with Samsung and SK Hynix.
The gaming industry is also bracing for significant disruption. Bloomberg reports that the launch of Nintendo’s Switch 2 could be delayed, and the PlayStation 6 from Sony may not arrive until 2028 or 2029. PC manufacturers like Lenovo, Dell, HP, Asus, and Acer are preparing to raise prices on desktops and laptops by 10 to 30 percent.
The situation is particularly acute because Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung collectively control approximately 95 percent of the global DRAM supply. The prioritization of AI contracts exacerbates the imbalance, leaving other sectors vulnerable to price hikes and potential production delays.
In Colombia, the impact will be felt primarily in large-scale government and corporate procurement contracts for computers and servers. Alberto Samuel Yohai, president of the Colombian Chamber of Informatics and Telecommunications (CCIT), emphasized the need for collaboration between government entities and suppliers. He suggested adjusting procurement specifications to align with current inventory availability and developing bidding processes that consider the limited supply of specific RAM types.
Yohai stated that entities should operate with suppliers and manufacturers to “construct action plans in their computer equipment purchases that allow them to solve their technology acquisition needs within the framework of a situation of force majeure.”