Driven by surging demand from higher-margin AI server segments, DRAM and NAND memory prices have skyrocketed, jumping more than 600% over the last one year for consumer applications from PCs and low-end smartphones to routers and set-top boxes, according to the February 2026 edition of Counterpoint Research’s Memory Price Tracker . As a result, consumer segments are being hit the hardest by a supply crunch and surging prices for both conventional DRAM and NAND. According to the tracker, this increase in memory prices will continue through June 2026 at least. There is a possibility of prices peaking in the first half of 2026, but supply issues will continue to persist.

While the difficulties being faced by the PC and lower-end smartphone industries with “mobile memory” are now well known, other consumer products like routers, gateways and set-top boxes are affected the most, going by the monthly trends since last year. Over the last nine months, smartphone memory prices jumped 3x, but the prices for “consumer memory”-based broadband products jumped almost 7x. Routers are hit the hardest, especially for OEMs with an unsecured supply and weaker negotiating power. Memory is now contributing more than 20% of the total bill of materials (BOM) in low-to-mid-end routers, up from around 3% exactly a year ago, according to Counterpoint’s Teardown and BOM Analysis Service.

Consumer and Mobile DRAM Prices ($) Skyrocketing

Note: Memory price changes since January 2025

This rings alarm bells for telcos targeting aggressive broadband rollouts (fiber or FWA) for 2026. This “memory winter” is going to prolong and slow down deployments as supply becomes a critical issue, in addition to increasing procurement costs for routers, CPEs and set-top boxes. Many leading telcos were also looking to push AI CPEs for fixed or wireless broadband, warranting higher compute and memory semiconductor content. Such plans could now face significant headwinds. It will be important for telcos to closely monitor these price dynamics, identify which OEMs have secured enough supply, and track updated BOM costs and pricing trends.

Counterpoint’s Memory Price Tracker tracks main memory products by category, such as mobile, PC, server, consumer and automotive. Clients can access the related reports by clicking on the links below:

Memory Price Tracker, Feb 2026: 90% Jump from Q4 2025

Counterpoint's Memory Research

About Counterpoint Research

Counterpoint Research is a global market research firm specializing in products across the technology ecosystem. We advise a diverse range of clients – from smartphone OEMs to chipmakers and channel players to Big Tech – through our offices located in the world's major innovation hubs, manufacturing clusters and commercial centers. Our analyst team, led by seasoned experts, engages with stakeholders across the enterprise – from the C-suite to professionals in strategy, analyst relations (AR), market intelligence (MI), business intelligence (BI), product and marketing – to deliver services spanning market data, industry thought leadership and consulting. Our core areas of coverage include AI, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Displays, eSIM, IoT, Location Platforms, Macroeconomics, Manufacturing, Networks and Infrastructure, Semiconductors, Smartphones and Wearables. Visit our Insights page to explore our publicly available market data, insights and thought leadership, and to understand our focus, meet our analysts and start a conversation.

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