The RAM shortage is poised to intensify as Samsung faces labor protests demanding higher wages. With more than 40,000 union members rallying outside its Pyeongtaek chip plant, production could be hit hard if a strike goes ahead next month.
Samsung, the world’s largest DRAM and NAND memory company, is already grappling with rising costs due to high demand from AI datacenters. Prices are soaring: the Samsung 990 Pro SSD now fetches nearly £1,000 for its 4TB version – triple what it cost just a couple of years ago.
If the union and management fail to reach an agreement by May 21st, workers could stage an 18-day strike, causing further disruption in global chip production. With SK Hynix nipping at Samsung’s heels in market share, any slowdown could push prices even higher for consumers.
The struggle isn’t just about personal electronics; it affects everything from smartphones to gaming consoles and Raspberry Pis. As the tech world grinds to a halt, imagine trying to run your AI-powered home without a reliable memory upgrade – frustrating indeed.
