Why RAM and SSD Upgrades Cost More

Last updated: 21 October 2026

Memory (RAM) and SSD storage have become much more expensive worldwide since mid-2025. This affects new laptops, refurbished laptops and individual upgrade parts alike. We have kept our upgrade prices as low as we can, but we want you to see the reason for yourself, from independent and verifiable sources.

What has happened

• DDR4 is being phased out. Major memory makers have issued end-of-life notices for DDR4 and are moving production to newer memory types. Less supply means higher prices for DDR4 modules, which most business laptops use.
• Memory makers raised contract prices sharply. Reuters reported in November 2025 that Samsung raised some memory chip prices by up to 60% compared with September 2025.
• Prices kept climbing through 2026. TrendForce, a leading semiconductor market research firm, projected conventional DRAM contract prices to rise 55–60% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2026, and client SSD prices by around 40%.
• Laptop prices in India have been affected. Indian technology media have reported that RAM costs rose 2.5 to 3 times and that laptop prices could rise by up to 35% in 2026. Business Standard reported that memory now accounts for a much larger share of a budget laptop's cost.
• Further increases are expected. TrendForce's latest outlook (30 September 2026) projects DRAM contract prices to rise another 10–15% and NAND flash (used in SSDs) another 15–20% in Q4 2026.

Independent sources

Please read these reports directly. Figures from TrendForce are industry contract prices; figures quoted in US dollars are global prices.

1. TrendForce, 13 June 2025: Micron confirms DDR4 phase-out with end-of-life notices
2. Reuters (via Yahoo Finance), 14 November 2025: Samsung hikes memory chip prices by up to 60%
3. TrendForce, 5 January 2026: DRAM and SSD contract price forecast for Q1 2026
4. 91mobiles, 12 March 2026: Laptop prices in India could rise in 2026
5. TrendForce, 25 August 2026: Memory market update
6. Business Standard, 30 August 2026: Budget laptops feel the memory squeeze
7. TrendForce, 30 September 2026: Q4 2026 DRAM and NAND price outlook
8. Tom's Hardware, updated October 2026: RAM price index 2026 (live DDR4 and DDR5 prices)

Our upgrade prices

Every upgrade is installed and tested at our Hisar store before dispatch and is covered by the same warranty as the laptop.

Which RAM and SSD type does my laptop use?

Each product page lists the exact RAM type (DDR3, DDR4, LPDDR4x or DDR5) and SSD type (2.5-inch SATA, M.2 SATA or M.2 NVMe). RAM marked "onboard" is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. Upgrades are offered only where the laptop supports them.