03 February, 2026

DRAM, NAND & Intel Market Updates | February 2026

Supply Risk Escalates as Conditions Deteriorate Further

Review Display Systems (RDS) is a trusted UK supplier of custom DRAM, NAND, and industrial storage solutions, supporting embedded, industrial, marine, and safety-critical applications for over 40 years. Our role is to help customers anticipate market shifts early and protect long-term supply continuity.

This latest RDS Market Update highlights a significant deterioration in global memory market conditions, with risks to supply and cost escalation increasing sharply this week. Industry indicators now point to a prolonged period of structural tightness, with meaningful improvement unlikely before 2028.

Customers delaying procurement decisions are increasingly exposed to allocation, extended lead times, and rapid price escalation.

Have issues or queries? Our team can help - reach out today via phone or email:

01959 563 345, info@review-displays.co.uk

DRAM & NAND Market Conditions

The AI-driven memory supercycle continues to intensify, with conditions now expected to worsen through 2026–2027 and extend into 2028 before any meaningful easing. Demand from hyperscalers, AI infrastructure, and data-centre expansion continues to absorb the majority of global DRAM and NAND output.

Key developments accelerating risk:

Chip manufacturers’ production lines are now fully booked through 2026 and 2027, leaving little to no flexibility for incremental demand.
New fabs scheduled to come online in 2028 are already expected to be fully allocated for at least their first 6–12 months of operation, limiting relief even when capacity increases.
High-bandwidth memory (HBM) and AI-optimised DRAM continue to be prioritised, reducing availability of standard DDR5, DDR4, and industrial SSD products.
HDD shortages persist, driving accelerated migration to SSDs and further tightening NAND supply.

Pricing across DRAM, NAND, and SSD categories continues to rise aggressively, with allocation now the dominant purchasing model rather than open availability.

Financial Markets Signal Severe Structural Tightness

The severity of the supply imbalance is increasingly visible in the financial markets:

SanDisk’s share price has surged from approximately $30 six months ago to over $700, reflecting extreme demand expectations and constrained future supply.
Other major memory manufacturers, including Samsung, Kioxia, SK Hynix, and Micron, are also seeing sharp share price appreciation as investors price in prolonged shortages and sustained margin pressure.

These movements reinforce what procurement teams are already experiencing on the ground: memory is becoming a strategic, capacity-constrained resource rather than a commodity.

Immediate Implications for RDS Customers

Supply Chain Risk

Increasing likelihood of allocation, MOQ increases, and reduced supplier flexibility
Long-life and industrial-grade components are becoming harder to secure without forward commitments

Cost Exposure

Prices are rising rapidly and unpredictably
Delayed ordering increases exposure to week-by-week pricing escalations

Lead Times

Standard lead times are extending significantly
Late orders risk being pushed into 2027–2028 delivery windows

Place Orders Now

Market conditions are expected to deteriorate further this week, with suppliers actively revising pricing, allocation policies, and lead times. Customers without confirmed orders or forecasts are at growing risk of being deprioritised.

Waiting is no longer a neutral decision - it actively increases risk.

RDS Recommendations - Act Immediately

To protect supply continuity and control costs, RDS strongly recommends:

Placing orders now to lock pricing and secure production slots
Sharing forward forecasts and project timelines to strengthen allocation priority
Committing volumes where possible to reduce exposure to allocation
Engaging early with RDS to identify alternative components or sourcing strategies
Planning memory and storage requirements well beyond immediate build schedules

How RDS Can Help

RDS works closely with global memory manufacturers and tier-one partners to help customers navigate constrained markets. Early engagement allows us to:

Secure allocation ahead of wider market tightening
Mitigate cost volatility through strategic planning
Maintain continuity of supply for long-life and industrial applications

DRAM, NAND & Intel Market Updates (February 2026)