Why are SSD prices going up?
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We do not forecast prices. This guide summarises what the market research firm TrendForce has published about NAND flash contract prices, with links to each report.
Short answer
SSD prices are rising because NAND flash — the memory chips inside every SSD — has become much more expensive. TrendForce projected NAND flash contract prices to rise 70–75% quarter on quarter in the second quarter of 2026, and projects a further 15–20% for the fourth quarter. According to TrendForce, chip makers are steering NAND output toward enterprise SSDs for AI servers, and limiting supply to client (PC) SSDs.
What TrendForce reported
| Report | Period | NAND flash contract prices (projected) | DRAM contract prices (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2026 | 2Q26 | +70–75% QoQ | +58–63% QoQ |
| 30 September 2026 | 4Q26 | +15–20% QoQ | +10–15% QoQ (conventional DRAM) |
The September report also says that NAND wafer prices have reached historical highs that retail channels are increasingly unable to absorb, that price increases for client (PC) SSDs are more restrained than for other products, and that PC makers are cutting the SSD capacities they ship in new machines (TrendForce, 30 Sep 2026).
The March report says AI-server demand is taking up NAND capacity, that suppliers were limiting supply to client SSDs to hold prices, and that PC and smartphone makers were reducing storage capacities as a result. For high-performance (enterprise) SSDs it expects a clear shortage in 2026, with meaningful capacity expansion unlikely until late 2027 or 2028 (TrendForce, 31 Mar 2026).
Contract prices are not shop prices
Contract prices are what SSD makers and PC manufacturers pay chip makers in bulk. Retail SSD prices follow them, but with a delay and not one-to-one: retailers sell existing stock, run promotions, and each product’s price includes the controller, the board, the warranty and margins. A 70% rise in contract prices does not mean a 70% rise on the shelf.
What our price data shows
Our first price import has not run yet, so we cannot show retail price changes from our own data. Once it has, this section will show the change in price per TB for 1TB, 2TB and 4TB SSDs from our planned retail price index.
FAQ
Will SSD prices go down? We do not make forecasts. The sources above describe the supply situation as TrendForce sees it; check the latest TrendForce reports for updates.
Does this affect RAM too? Yes — the same reports cover DRAM contract prices, listed in the table above.