{
  "id": 3033445,
  "title": "Chipmakers laughing all the way to the vault as memory prices go stratospheric",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/chipmakers-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-vault-as-memory-prices-go",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-24T13:40:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register",
    "slug": "the-register",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/systems/2026/08/24/chipmakers-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-vault-as-memory-prices-go-stratospheric/5291690"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chipmakers are enjoying record profits as memory prices soar to unprecedented levels, according to a new report. Gartner predicts the semiconductor industry will generate $1.6 trillion in revenue this year, a significant increase from $809 billion in 2025. Memory chips are driving most of this growth, with DRAM and NAND revenue each expected to triple or quadruple. Memory revenue is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2027, up from $220 billion last year. The surge in memory prices is primarily due to the booming AI infrastructure sector, which is fueling demand for high-end servers and GPUs. Major manufacturers like Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix are prioritizing production of these chips, leading to a shortage of mainstream memory types needed for PCs, smartphones, and other devices. This has resulted in higher average unit prices for these products. Chipmakers have also secured long-term supply deals with major customers, further driving up prices. Gartner believes that AI infrastructure has fundamentally changed the dynamics of the memory market, creating a new phase of growth and redefining the industry's application mix. Experts predict that the AI datacenter ecosystem will grow from 36.5% of semiconductor revenues in 2026 to over 53% by 2030, signaling a significant shift in semiconductor value creation and demand evolution. However, the higher prices are not expected to cool demand, as Gartner forecasts sustained high-margin memory product demand, including HBM. Samsung has warned that the memory supply crunch will likely continue through 2028. Gartner projects semiconductor revenue to reach $1.9 trillion in 2027, a 20% increase from this year.",
  "summary": "Gartner reckons $1.6 trillion year is just the start, and don't expect a bust anytime soon",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Register Science",
        "title": "Chipmakers laughing all the way to the vault as memory prices go stratospheric",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/chipmakers-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-vault-as-memory-prices-go-3036471",
        "published": "2026-08-24T13:40:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}