Memory Chip Prices to Remain High Through 2030, Lenovo Warns; Q3 Could See 50% Jump

According to Lenovo's statement at ISC 2026 supercomputer conference, high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and DRAM prices are expected to remain at elevated levels through 2030 as artificial intelligence server demand surges, with prices unlikely to return to early 2025 lows. Market forecasts predict Q3 2026 memory prices could rise by approximately 50%, followed by a 40% increase in Q4, with supply-demand improvements unlikely before 2028.

Micron's executive vice president Sumit Sadana confirmed in a Wall Street Journal interview that major customers aggressively negotiated prices lower, hindering industry investment. Apple CEO Tim Cook cited rising memory costs as the reason for Mac and iPad price increases. Meanwhile, according to Financial Times, Apple is lobbying the U.S. government to permit purchases from China's Changxin Memory to diversify suppliers and reduce costs.