TM Roh, Samsung’s co-CEO, dropped a reality check that should concern anyone planning to buy electronics in 2026. In a recent statement about the company’s semiconductor business, Roh made it clear that memory shortages will squeeze every corner of consumer tech, not just smartphones and computers.
“As this situation is unprecedented, no company is immune to its impact”, Roh said, explaining that the crisis extends beyond mobile phones to hit other consumer electronics hard, including TVs and home appliances.
Translation? That new 4K TV you’ve been eyeing or the smart refrigerator on your wishlist might cost you significantly more soon. Roh didn’t sugarcoat it either, acknowledging that price increases are “inevitable” given the surge in memory chip costs.
Samsung, currently the world’s number one TV manufacturer, is scrambling with partners to figure out long-term strategies to minimize damage, but even they admit some impact can’t be avoided.
The AI boom is eating all the chips
Here’s the frustrating part: Samsung and SK hynix are both working to ramp up production capacity, but any new output is getting funneled straight to AI infrastructure and data centers.
Big Tech companies are locked in an arms race building AI systems, and they’re gobbling up every available chip. Meanwhile, regular consumers are left holding the bag.
DRAM contract prices are expected to skyrocket over 50% in Q1 2026, which explains why major suppliers are avoiding long-term agreements right now. The market’s too volatile, and manufacturers are prioritizing whoever pays the most, spoiler alert, that’s not your local appliance store.
The worst news? Industry projections show these shortages lasting until 2027, possibly beyond. As long as the AI bandwagon keeps rolling and DRAM demand continues climbing every quarter, consumers across multiple product categories will face supply constraints and higher prices.
Your wallet’s about to feel the pinch whether you’re shopping for a phone, a TV, or apparently even a washing machine.
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