Samsung warns global RAM shortage will intensify in 2027 as AI data centre demand outstrips supply
The outlook for consumer electronics prices and availability faces new headwinds as supply falls far short of customer demand
Samsung has issued a stark warning that the global shortage of random access memory (RAM) is set to intensify in 2027. During a recent earnings call, the South Korean technology giant indicated that surging demand from artificial intelligence data centres is driving a supply-to-demand gap that is projected to widen further than in 2026.
Executive Kim Jaejune, who oversees Samsung's memory chip business, stated that current supply levels fall significantly short of customer requirements. He noted that based solely on the demand currently received for 2027, the disparity between available stock and required volume will expand beyond the levels seen in the previous year.
This tightening market dynamic is already exerting pressure on the consumer electronics sector. The shortage is expected to impact prices for smartphones and gaming handhelds, potentially leading to higher costs for buyers and longer wait times for new devices.
The outlook for production remains contingent on resolving industrial relations issues within the company. Potential delays could materialise if Samsung fails to reach an agreement with its labour union regarding an 18-day strike scheduled to commence on 21 May.
Earlier reports this month had suggested that the world's largest RAM manufacturers might not be able to meet total demand until 2030. Samsung's specific forecast for a worsening situation in 2027 adds a near-term dimension to these longer-term supply constraints.
The prediction relies on demand figures received to date, meaning the specific magnitude of the gap could shift if future orders change. Additionally, the severity of the shortage in the coming year depends entirely on whether the upcoming labour dispute is resolved before the strike begins.
