Console Prices Could Rise Again as Memory Costs Surge Through 2026
Gaming hardware may be heading for another round of price increases as the global memory shortage continues to put pressure on the tech industry. Consumers have already seen several major brands adjust prices for consoles and other electronics in recent months, and new market forecasts suggest the situation could get worse before it improves.
Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo have already raised console prices in select regions, reflecting higher production costs and ongoing supply chain challenges. Now, rising DRAM and NAND memory prices could force manufacturers to make even tougher decisions in the months ahead.
A recent report from Jefferies Equity Research suggests memory prices may climb sharply in the second half of 2026. The forecast points to a possible 40% to 50% increase in the third quarter of 2026 compared to current pricing. Another jump of 30% to 40% could follow in the fourth quarter, creating even more pressure on companies that depend heavily on memory components.
The outlook for 2027 is not much better. Memory prices are expected to remain elevated, with year-over-year increases potentially reaching 40% to 45%. Analysts do not expect major relief until 2028, when new manufacturing capacity is expected to begin entering the market.
One of the biggest drivers behind the memory shortage is the explosive growth of artificial intelligence and cloud computing. AI companies and cloud service providers are consuming enormous amounts of memory for data centers, servers, and high-performance computing systems. Many large technology firms are also securing long-term supply agreements with memory manufacturers, locking in huge portions of future production.
Jefferies estimates that roughly half of available memory supply is already committed through these agreements. That figure could reportedly rise to as much as 70%, leaving less supply available for consumer electronics, gaming systems, PCs, smartphones, and other devices.
For gamers, this could lead to a frustrating reality: current consoles may become more expensive, and next-generation systems could launch at higher prices than expected. Interest is already growing around future hardware such as the PlayStation 6 and Microsoft’s rumored Project Helix console, but rising component costs could make those devices significantly more expensive to produce.
If memory prices continue rising at the projected pace, console makers may have limited options. They could absorb the added costs and reduce profit margins, redesign hardware to reduce memory dependency, or pass some of the increase on to buyers. Historically, when component costs remain high for long periods, consumers often end up paying more.
The concern is not limited to consoles. Higher DRAM and NAND prices can affect gaming PCs, laptops, handheld gaming devices, storage drives, smartphones, and data center hardware. SSD prices may also continue rising if NAND supply remains tight, making storage upgrades more expensive for everyday users and PC builders.
Lenovo executive Martin Hiegl recently suggested that DRAM and NAND prices may not return to early 2025 levels anytime soon. In fact, elevated pricing could become the new normal through 2030 and beyond if demand continues to outpace supply.
For now, anyone planning to buy a gaming console, SSD, memory kit, or new gaming PC may want to keep a close eye on pricing trends. If the current forecasts prove accurate, waiting too long could mean paying more later. While the industry is expected to expand production capacity, meaningful improvements may still be years away.
The memory crisis has quickly become one of the biggest forces shaping the future of consumer technology. With AI demand rising, supply contracts tightening, and manufacturing expansion taking time, gamers and tech buyers may need to prepare for a more expensive hardware market in 2026 and beyond.
