Micron, Samsung Plan to End Production, DDR4 Prices Soar!
Driven by multiple factors, the spot price of DDR4 has surged. According to a June 16 report from the Economic Daily, due to reduced DDR4 supply and massive purchases by mysterious market buyers, spot prices for specifications such as 8Gb/16Gb DDR4 DRAM soared by nearly 8% in a single day. This phenomenon is not isolated but reflects the overall supply-demand imbalance in the DDR4 market. The continuous price increase of DDR4 is closely related to global supply chain adjustments, changes in market demand, and uncertainties in the international situation.
According to a TrendForce report, the spot price of Samsung’s 8Gb DDR4 has skyrocketed to $4.8, far higher than the recent average price of approximately $3.3. Additionally, Micron’s DDR4 quotes in June increased by 50% significantly, especially for 8Gb and 16Gb specifications. This supply-demand imbalance has caused drastic price fluctuations. In the industrial control market, strong demand and shortages in the spot market have further exacerbated price increases, with 16Gb prices even exceeding those of the same specification in DDR5.
The price increase of DDR4 is also related to technological generational differentiation. With the introduction of new memory technologies such as DDR5, the demand for DDR4 is gradually being replaced. The reduction in DDR4 supply is an important reason for the price increase. TrendForce points out that the DDR4 generation has a lifecycle of more than 10 years, and its demand is being replaced by DDR5. Major suppliers are expected to terminate DDR4 production in early 2026. Suppliers like Micron and Samsung have planned to end DDR4 production, with the final shipment time expected to be in early 2026. The contradiction between reduced supply and increased demand has directly pushed up the spot price of DDR4.
From a market dynamics perspective, the rise in DDR4 spot prices is not limited to a single point in time but shows a sustained upward trend. For example, the spot price of DDR4 16Gb (1G×16) 3200 has increased from an average of $6.1 on May 30 to $8.2 currently, surging by 34.42% in half a month since June. This continuous price increase reflects the market’s long-term optimism about DDR4 and uncertainties about alternative technologies like DDR5.
Furthermore, the price increase of DDR4 is also influenced by policy factors. The 90-day window period for tariff suspensions has become a strategic opportunity for ODM/OEM manufacturers, leading to a 5%-7% increase in prices for some NOR Flash models.
