U.S. Technology and Consumer Prices

An NPR report on Dec. 28, 2025 details how surging AI data‑center demand has pushed global DRAM and RAM markets into a roughly 10% supply shortfall, sending contract prices up 50% this quarter with forecasts for another 40% increase next quarter and likely no relief in 2026, according to TrendForce. Analysts say chipmakers like Idaho‑based Micron are shifting capacity toward high‑margin AI memory, leaving fewer chips for PCs, smartphones, game consoles and consumer electronics and signaling that U.S. device prices are likely to rise.