It’s a familiar evening scene: you’re scrolling through streaming options, perhaps noticing the subtle lag on your current smart TV, or maybe that 4K display just isn't quite cutting it anymore. You start casually browsing, dreaming of a brighter, bigger screen. The internet promises deals, but what if those deals are about to disappear? What if the very technology powering our future — artificial intelligence — is quietly driving up the cost of your next big home upgrade?
Here’s the thing: the global surge in demand for artificial intelligence has triggered an unexpected consequence dubbed “RAMageddon.” This isn't just about high-end PCs or servers; the scarcity of memory chips (RAM) could make your next television, game console, or even that sleek smart coffee maker significantly more expensive. Any device with memory and a processor is feeling the pinch, from advanced medical equipment to electric vehicle infotainment systems (TrendForce, 2024).
Industry giants like Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia are voraciously acquiring memory supply to power their burgeoning AI data centers. This leaves smaller manufacturers, including most TV makers, struggling to compete. “When memory tightens, prices rise, product launches shift... margins compress and smaller companies struggle more than large tech giants,” explains Marco Mezger, executive vice president at memory tech company Neumonda (Axios, 2024). The memory units essential for 4K TVs, for instance, have seen their prices quadruple over the past year. This increased cost could make your favorite brands reprice their products, as Samsung has already hinted.
Why Now Is the Time to Buy a New TV
Despite the looming price hikes, there's a silver lining. Those higher RAM costs haven't fully trickled down to the retail TV market yet. In fact, smart TV prices generally dipped by about 15% between 2024 and early 2026, so you're starting from a strong position. Manufacturers are also keen to clear inventory this time of year, making way for new models. This means the televisions on shelves today were largely priced before the full impact of the RAM shortage hit, offering a rare window of opportunity. This unique market dynamic could make your decision to buy now a smart financial move. Think about it: a 65-inch OLED TV from Samsung for $900? That’s an incredible deal that might not last.
What's more, some companies intentionally price their TVs lower, offsetting the cost by collecting valuable user data. While that’s a conversation for another day (and something you can often mitigate with privacy settings), it further contributes to current competitive pricing. So, if you’ve been eyeing an upgrade, the current market could make your new TV purchase surprisingly affordable.
Now, you might be thinking, how long will this last? Industry analysts largely agree that we won't see a return to "normal" memory prices before 2028 (Gartner, 2024). AI demand is projected to consume a staggering 70% of all high-end DRAM in 2026, forcing manufacturers to prioritize those advanced chips over the less sophisticated ones found in TVs and other appliances, like smart home hubs. While billions are being invested in new memory manufacturing facilities, building a factory in Taiwan takes nearly two years, and even longer in places like the U.S. This means elevated tech prices, especially for devices with memory, are likely here to stay for the foreseeable future. This persistent shortage could make your future tech upgrades a more significant investment than you'd expect today.
So, if that old TV is starting to show its age, or you’re simply craving an upgrade, don't wait. The current sweet spot in the market is a temporary reprieve from a larger, ongoing shift driven by the insatiable demands of artificial intelligence. Seize the moment before your next screen becomes a luxury item.
