Kioxia SSD Price Forecast 2026: AI Frenzy Keeps Storage Expensive
Storage prices are expected to remain high as Kioxia reports its SSD manufacturing capacity is sold out through 2026 due to the AI-induced memory crunch.
The AI-induced memory crunch is filling the pockets of chipmakers with record profits. However, if you're waiting for SSD prices to drop, you might be waiting until 2026 or later. Manufacturers are signaling that the shortage is far from over, as generative AI continues to swallow every bit of flash memory available on the market.
Kioxia SSD Price Forecast 2026: Sold Out Through Next Year
According to Shunsuke Nakato, managing director at Kioxia, the Japanese memory giant's manufacturing capacity is already sold out through the end of 2026. As reported via PC Gamer, this supply-side constraint is pushing both enterprise and consumer storage markets into a "high-end and expensive phase." For those looking to upgrade their PCs or servers, the news suggests that budget-friendly options will remain scarce.
The AI Investment Trap: Buy or Be Left Behind
Nakato noted a "sense of crisis" among tech firms. Speaking to Digital Daily, he explained that companies feel they'll be eliminated the moment they stop investing in AI. This desperate need for infrastructure keeps the demand for high-performance memory kits and NAND flash at an all-time high. Without a significant cooling of the generative AI sector, pricing is expected to stay elevated for the foreseeable future.
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