Micron says chip shortage will "improve gradually" in 2028 - GamesIndustry.biz

Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra stated during the company's Q3 2026 earnings call that the AI-driven global RAM and NAND shortage will persist through 2027 and gradually improve in 2028. However, he acknow... Read original →

Micron’s projection that memory shortages will linger through 2027 reveals a structural mismatch between AI-driven demand and lagging mature-node capacity. Technically, DDR5 and HBM allocation is cannibalizing consumer DRAM wafer starts, while NAND stacking yield issues and SSD controller bottlenecks delay end-product deliveries—forcing hardware makers like Valve to hike prices. On the compliance front, despite U.S. CHIPS Act subsidies accelerating domestic fab plans, environmental reviews and skilled labor shortages push greenfield ramp timelines beyond 36 months, undermining supply chain resilience. Samsung and SK Hynix are locking in long-term deals with North American hyperscalers to secure ROI on capex, while foundries in Taiwan, China—lacking advanced packaging integration—are being sidelined from the AI memory value chain. Over the next 18 months, even as spot prices peak, consumer electronics will endure 'tiered rationing': data centers get priority allocation, leaving gaming hardware vulnerable to spec downgrades or launch delays.