The cost of many everyday electronic devices could rise in 2026, driven by a sharp increase in the price of RAM, a core component used in almost all modern technology.
Once considered one of the cheapest parts in a computer, RAM prices have surged dramatically since October 2025, in some cases more than doubling. The main driver is the rapid expansion of data centres that support artificial intelligence, which require vast amounts of memory to operate. This has created a significant imbalance between global supply and demand.
RAM is essential for running smartphones, laptops, smart TVs and even medical equipment. As demand from the AI sector grows, manufacturers across the tech industry are facing much higher component costs.
While companies sometimes absorb minor increases, industry experts say the current scale of the rise is too large to ignore. Steve Mason, general manager of computer manufacturer CyberPowerPC, said his company has received quotes that are several times higher than just months ago. He warned that manufacturers may soon have no choice but to adjust their prices.
Any product that relies on memory or storage could be affected, he said, leaving both producers and consumers facing difficult decisions.
RAM, or random access memory, temporarily stores data while a device is in use and is critical to its performance. Because it is used so widely, rising prices are expected to have a broad impact. Danny Williams, from PC builder PCSpecialist, believes the pressure will continue well into 2026 and potentially beyond.
Some suppliers have managed price increases more gradually due to larger stockpiles, but others with limited inventory have raised prices far more aggressively. According to industry observers, artificial intelligence is the single biggest factor behind the surge.
Chris Miller, author of Chip War, explained that high-end memory required for AI systems has pushed up prices across the entire memory market. He noted that memory prices are highly sensitive to shifts in supply and demand, and demand is currently at exceptional levels.
Mike Howard from Tech Insights added that major cloud companies have already set their memory requirements for the coming years. These projections show demand far outstripping supply, giving memory manufacturers confidence to raise prices. In some cases, suppliers have even stopped issuing price quotes altogether, signalling expectations of further increases.
Memory now represents a much larger share of the total cost of devices such as PCs, rising from around 15–20% to as much as 40% in some cases. With limited margins, manufacturers are unlikely to absorb these costs without passing them on.
Looking ahead, industry leaders expect pricing and supply challenges to persist through 2026 and into 2027. Some companies are already shifting focus away from consumer markets. In December, Micron announced it would stop selling consumer memory under its Crucial brand to prioritise AI demand.
Experts estimate that the manufacturing cost of a standard laptop could rise by $40 to $50 next year, while smartphones could see cost increases of around $30. These increases are expected to reach consumers directly.
As a result, buyers may face higher prices, opt for lower-performance devices, or hold on to their existing technology for longer.
About the author
Six US airmen die in Iraq KC-135 crash
The US military has confirmed the identities of six airmen killed when a KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The victims were: John Klinner, 33, from Alabama; Ariana Savino, 31, from Washington; Ashley Pruitt, 34, from Kentucky; Seth Koval, 38, from Indiana; Curtis Angst, 30, from Ohio; and Tyler Simmons, 28, also from Ohio. The first three served in the Air Force, while the latter three were part of the National Guard. The Pentagon confirmed that neither hostile action nor friendly fire caused the crash. The KC-135 was on a combat mission as part of ongoing US operations targeting Iran. A second aircraft involved in the mission landed safely. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the crew as “American heroes,” honoring their service. Officials suggested the crash may have resulted from a midair collision, though investigations are […]
Trump urges allies to secure Strait of Hormuz
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified after Donald Trump called on several countries to deploy naval forces to secure the strategic shipping corridor linking the Persian Gulf to global markets. The US president urged nations including United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to send warships to the region. According to him, a multinational naval presence would help guarantee the safety of commercial vessels navigating the route, which carries a significant portion of the world’s oil supply. In a message posted on the social platform Truth Social, Trump said many countries were expected to cooperate with the United States to ensure that the passage remains open. He warned that despite recent military operations against Iran, Tehran could still pose threats to ships through drones, mines, or short-range missile attacks. The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of […]
CODITOGO critique la session du Cadre de concertation
La Coalition togolaise pour l’alternance et la démocratie (CODITOGO) a publié le 4 mars 2026 un communiqué dans lequel elle critique l’ouverture de la nouvelle session du Cadre permanent de concertation (CPC) au Togo. L’organisation d’opposition estime que cette initiative s’inscrit dans une stratégie politique du pouvoir en place. Selon CODITOGO, la première session de l’année 2026 du CPC s’est tenue le 19 février lors de sa 25ᵉ réunion. Les discussions auraient porté sur plusieurs sujets, notamment la Commission électorale nationale indépendante (CENI), le fonctionnement du CPC ainsi que la participation de candidats indépendants dans le nouveau contexte institutionnel marqué par l’évolution vers un régime parlementaire. À l’issue de la rencontre, trois commissions auraient été créées pour approfondir ces questions et proposer des recommandations d’ici la fin du mois de mars. Les promoteurs de ces travaux affirment que cette démarche […]
Déguerpissements et occupations illégales à Lomé
Une opération de déguerpissement menée à la fin de l’année 2025 autour des voies ferrées de Lomé a fortement perturbé l’activité de nombreux petits commerçants installés le long des rails. Plusieurs étals et installations ont été retirés, suscitant l’inquiétude des riverains et des vendeurs concernés. Selon plusieurs sources, cette opération serait liée à une décision de l’Agence Nationale d’Assainissement et de Salubrité Publique visant à libérer les emprises ferroviaires et à améliorer l’environnement urbain. Dans ce contexte, une note attribuée au directeur général du Port Autonome de Lomé, le contre-amiral Fogan Adégnon, demandait le démantèlement immédiat des installations situées sur ces zones. Le document invitait les occupants à quitter les lieux avant le 30 novembre 2025. Les secteurs concernés comprenaient notamment la voie ferrée située sous le pont menant à la ligne Lomé–Aného, la zone de la gare routière ainsi […]
Togo–États-Unis : un partenariat aux enjeux stratégiques
Depuis plusieurs décennies, la relation diplomatique entre les États-Unis et le Togo est souvent présentée comme un partenariat stratégique. Pourtant, pour de nombreux observateurs, cette coopération reflète surtout une relation où les intérêts des deux pays ne pèsent pas de la même manière. Sur la scène internationale, les grandes puissances entretiennent fréquemment des liens avec des États plus modestes afin de consolider leur présence dans certaines régions. Dans ce contexte, Washington considère Lomé comme un partenaire utile, notamment pour maintenir une influence diplomatique en Afrique de l’Ouest. La position géographique du Togo, un pays relativement petit situé entre plusieurs États de la région, limite toutefois son poids dans les équilibres internationaux. Malgré cela, les autorités togolaises cherchent à renforcer leur visibilité et à jouer un rôle plus actif dans les affaires régionales et internationales. Depuis son arrivée au pouvoir en […]
Le Togo participera à l’Expo universelle Belgrade 2027
Le Togo prendra part à l’Exposition universelle de Belgrade 2027. L’accord officialisant cette participation a été signé entre Alexandre de Souza, commissaire général du Togo pour l’événement, et Jagoda Lazarević, ministre serbe du Commerce. À travers cette présence, le Togo entend mettre en avant ses atouts culturels, le potentiel de sa jeunesse ainsi que le dynamisme de son économie. Selon Alexandre de Souza, le pays souhaite apporter une contribution significative à cet événement international en valorisant la richesse de son patrimoine et ses perspectives de développement. L’exposition se déroulera du 15 mai au 15 août 2027 à Belgrade, en Serbie, autour du thème : « Jouons pour l’humanité – Sport et musique pour tous ». Placée sous l’égide du Bureau International des Expositions, la manifestation mettra en avant des valeurs universelles telles que la solidarité, la créativité et le dialogue […]
Related
Six US airmen die in Iraq KC-135 crash
The US military has confirmed the identities of six airmen killed when a KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The victims were: John Klinner, 33, from Alabama; Ariana Savino, 31, from Washington; Ashley Pruitt, 34, from Kentucky; Seth Koval, 38, from Indiana; Curtis Angst, 30, from Ohio; and Tyler Simmons, 28, also from Ohio. The first three served in the Air Force, while the latter three were part of the National Guard. The Pentagon confirmed that neither hostile action nor friendly fire caused the crash. The KC-135 was on a combat mission as part of ongoing US operations targeting Iran. A second aircraft involved in the mission landed safely. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the crew as “American heroes,” honoring their service. Officials suggested the crash may have resulted from a midair collision, though investigations are […]
Trump urges allies to secure Strait of Hormuz
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified after Donald Trump called on several countries to deploy naval forces to secure the strategic shipping corridor linking the Persian Gulf to global markets. The US president urged nations including United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to send warships to the region. According to him, a multinational naval presence would help guarantee the safety of commercial vessels navigating the route, which carries a significant portion of the world’s oil supply. In a message posted on the social platform Truth Social, Trump said many countries were expected to cooperate with the United States to ensure that the passage remains open. He warned that despite recent military operations against Iran, Tehran could still pose threats to ships through drones, mines, or short-range missile attacks. The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of […]
Trump says Iran’s new Supreme Leader is alive but “damaged”
United States President Donald Trump says he believes Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive but “damaged” after the US and Israel’s opening strikes on Iran. Mojtaba, whose father and former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war, has not been seen in public since he was selected by Iran’s Assembly of Experts on March 8. His first comments to the nation were delivered as a written message read out by a television presenter, fuelling speculation about his condition. An Iranian official told Reuters that the new leader was “lightly injured” and continues to function, with state TV referring to him as “war wounded.” Asked about rumours that Mojtaba might be dead or incapacitated, Trump told Fox News’ “Brian Kilmeade Show”: “I think he probably is (alive). I think he is […]
I lost my father and wife, Iran’s new Supreme Leader vows revenge
Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed revenge for the deaths of his relatives and other Iranians killed in recent strikes, saying Tehran will not back down from retaliatory actions. In his first public message since assuming office, Mojtaba said he lost his father, his wife, a sister and her child, as well as his other sister’s husband, in the air strikes that hit Iran late last month. He described the attacks as brutal crimes carried out by the United States and Israel and said they had deepened his resolve to pursue justice. The new leader also referred to a deadly strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran, which Iranian sources say killed around 160 to 170 schoolgirls on the first day of the war. He said Iran is “especially sensitive to the blood of our children” […]
Iranians face pressure as war tensions escalate
As tensions rise following escalating conflict involving Iran, mixed messages are being directed at the Iranian public about whether they should challenge their government. During the conflict, former US President Donald Trump urged Iranians to rise up and take control of their country, claiming the moment could represent a rare opportunity for political change. The call came after US military strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, further intensifying the crisis. However, inside Iran, authorities have issued stern warnings against any protests or public demonstrations. Ahmadreza Radan, Iran’s police chief, said security forces would treat anyone taking to the streets at what he described as the “enemy’s request” as an adversary of the state. He warned that police and security units were fully prepared to act against unrest, emphasizing that the country’s forces were ready to defend the Islamic […]
René Redzepi resigns from Noma amid abuse allegations
The world-renowned Danish restaurant Noma is facing a major shake-up as head chef René Redzepi has resigned amid allegations of abuse and toxic workplace behavior. Redzepi announced his departure on social media, stating that after more than 20 years of leading the restaurant, he is stepping aside to allow the leadership team to guide Noma into its next chapter. He also resigned from the board of MAD, a non-profit he founded in 2011 that supports newcomers to the restaurant industry. The resignation follows accusations from former employees, reported by several media outlets including the New York Times, who described a culture of verbal and physical abuse, intimidation, and a toxic work environment in the restaurant’s kitchen. Former staff, like Jason Ignacio White, publicly shared that they had witnessed widespread mistreatment during Redzepi’s tenure. Redzepi publicly acknowledged the allegations, apologizing on […]