Samsung, SK Hynix flag record supply squeeze in memory market as AI demand soars

SCMP Tech / 4/30/2026

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Key Points

  • Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are warning that the memory chip market will face a prolonged, severe global supply squeeze as AI-driven demand keeps rising.
  • Samsung reported that its order fulfillment rate has fallen to a record low, signaling tight availability across memory products.
  • Customers concerned about shortages are reportedly pre-booking memory capacity for 2027, indicating demand is pulling supply planning far into the future.
  • The warnings come shortly after both companies disclosed increased investments in their China wafer fabs aimed at meeting surging AI-related demand.
  • The situation suggests downstream tech and data-center buyers may need to secure long-term allocations and manage procurement risk more carefully.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, South Korea’s two memory chip giants, are warning of a prolonged and severe global supply crunch, weeks after the two companies disclosed increased investments in their China wafer fabs to meet surging artificial intelligence demand. During Samsung’s first-quarter earnings call on Thursday, the company said its order fulfilment rate had plunged to a “record low”. In a rare move, customers worried about shortages were already pre-booking memory capacity for 2027,...

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