Demand for memory chips grows, Apple raises prices

The market of memory chipessential for computer, smartphone e serveris going through an unprecedented phase. The question coming from data center for theartificial intelligence has now exceeded global production capacity, creating an imbalance destined to continue at least until 2027.

The three main world producers of DRAM – Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron – are in fact allocating a growing share of production to memories HBM (High Bandwidth Memory), essential for AI accelerators. In practice, every wafer used to make memory for Nvidia’s GPUs is a wafer taken from the chips used in laptops, smartphones and other consumer electronics devices.

According to TrendForce, i DRAM contract prices traditional growth increased to 98% in the first quarter of 2026 and is expected to grow by a further 58-63% in the current quarter. Micron has admitted that it can only meet about two-thirds of some customers’ demand, while new plants under construction a Boisenell’Idahowill not become fully operational before 2027. It is in this context that Apple has decided to revise the price lists.

Tim Cook’s statements

In an interview given to Wall Street Journal on June 17, the CEO Tim Cook he explained that the increases had become “inevitable”, claiming that the company had tried to absorb the cost increases for as long as possible, but that the situation was now “unsustainable”. Cook explained “that he has never seen such a surge in component prices in his more than forty-year career, in any industry.”

The new prices of Apple products

The increases took effect immediately onApple Store. Il MacBook Neo goes from 599 to 699 dollars, theiPad base from $349 to $449 theiPad mini It comes in at $599. Prices have also been adjusted upwards Apple TV, HomePod e Vision Prowhile the iPhone remain excluded for the moment.

Possible increases also for iPhone

Second Counterpoint ResearchHowever, the increased cost of memory could add approximately $200 to the manufacturing costs of one iPhonemaking adjustments to the price lists likely in the coming months. The announcement provoked an immediate reaction from Wall Street: Apple stock lost more than 6%, recording its worst session since April 2025.

Impact on manufacturers and global market

Apple however, it remains one of the groups best equipped to face the crisis thanks to its consolidated relationships with suppliers. For other manufacturers the pressure is even greater. Dell, HP e Lenovo they have already raised the prices of notebookwhile in the mid-range of smartphone several manufacturers are choosing to reduce the memory supply while keeping sales prices unchanged.

Production and sales forecasts

Second IDCone of the world’s leading information technology research and analysis companies, dei semiconductorstelecommunications andconsumer electronicsin 2026 the global production capacity of DRAM it will only grow by 16%, well below demand. The consequences are already visible on the final market: the sales of smartphone are expected to decline by approximately 14% on an annual basis, while those of PC they are expected to decrease by 11.3%, one of the worst contractions ever recorded for both sectors.