Apacer: DRAM Supply Shift to AI Products May Cause Imbalance Until H1 2027

Memory module maker Apacer Technology said on July 27 that the three major DRAM manufacturers have shifted nearly all new capacity to AI products such as HBM, server DDR5, and LPDDR5X, leading to a continuous reduction in the supply of chips allocated to general DDR5, DDR4, and the industrial control market. According to the suppliers' allocation plans, the DRAM supply available to module makers will continue to decline in the future, with prices rising steadily. The supply-demand imbalance may persist at least until the first half of 2027.

Module makers are actively building inventories to avoid the risk of having no products to sell. ADATA previously said that memory shortages will continue through 2027 and that it is ramping up inventory. Tenon Technology chairman Xia Daning said demand from 2026 to the first half of 2027 remains very large.

Due to the high cost sensitivity of PCs and smartphones, some brand manufacturers have begun to reduce memory procurement or delay shipments. As DDR5 prices continue to rise, some companies are reassessing DDR4. Apacer said DDR4 offers better cost efficiency and related demand is gradually recovering. DDR4 prices are also supported by limited supply.