AI demand drives DRAM revenue up 369 per cent as supply tightens

DRAM revenue rose 369 per cent year on year in the third quarter of 2026, as demand from data centres and AI accelerators pushed up prices and left buyers competing for limited supply. The surge matters because manufacturers are directing capacity towards more profitable server memory, tightening availability for PCs and smartphones and contributing to higher prices for those devices.

Bit shipments increased by about 4 per cent, while average DRAM prices reached $1.90 per gigabit and industry revenue approached $200 billion. Samsung held 38 per cent of DRAM revenue; SK hynix reported stronger growth, while Micron’s DRAM revenue grew more slowly. Counterpoint expects prices to remain high next year, with shortages potentially lasting until 2030 and major new factories not due to begin production until 2028.