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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware) Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Flipboard Share this article Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Kingston Datacenter SSD Business Manager Cameron Crandall said in an interview that NAND prices for RAM and SSD are expected to rise throughout 2026. The Kingston employee said on T he Full Nerd Network podcast that NAND prices increased by 246% from 1Q25, 70% of that happening in just the last 60 days. And with this component making up 90% of the bill of materials for an SSD, the company will have to adjust its pricing accordingly.
Watch On When asked how consumers could cope with the ongoing shortage and price hikes, Crandall said, “I think the best thing to do if you’re looking at upgrading your system is to do it now and not wait because prices are going to continue to go up.” He also added, “My advice today would be to not hold off on that purchase because it will be more expensive 30 days from now, and more likely it will be more expensive 30 days after that.” Crandall also stated that prices are increasing "like we've never seen" in 29 years of working at Kingston.
This contradicts Sapphire’s prediction that DRAM prices will stabilize within the next six to eight months , although Crandall says that the memory market has a pricing cycle and that we are in an upswing at the moment. It’s likely because of this that memory companies are holding back on expanding their production lines or building new fabs . After all, there is still the threat of the AI bubble that could leave chipmakers holding expensive NAND inventory with zero demand if it bursts.
Phison CEO confirms NAND prices have more than doubled and all 2026 production already sold out
The RAM pricing crisis has only just started, memory maker Team Group warns
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ram/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ram/dont-wait-if-youre-planning-to-upgrade-your-ram-or-ssd-kingston-rep-warns-says-prices-will-continue-to-go-up-nand-costs-up-246-percent#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com
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Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.