Shares of Samsung, SK Hynix and major US chipmakers jumped after the moves, underscoring how surging demand for AI-oriented chips and the memory used inside them has tightened supply across the sector.
The increase followed Samsung’s decision to delay releasing monthly contract pricing in October, the people said.
Rising prices for server-focused memory chips are expected to intensify pressure on companies expanding data infrastructure and could also push up costs for smartphones and computers.
Tobey Gonnerman, president of distributor Fusion Worldwide, said major server makers and data-center builders are “now accepting that they won’t get nearly enough product. The price premiums being paid are extreme.”
He said Samsung’s contract price for 32GB DDR5 modules rose to $239 in November from $149 in September.
After the initial Reuters report on Friday, Micron Technology shares climbed 4%. On Monday morning, Samsung gained 3% and SK Hynix rose 6%, recovering ground after earlier losses tied to concerns over stretched AI valuations.
DDR chips are used in servers, computers and other hardware to improve performance by handling temporary data storage and fast data transfers.
Samsung also raised prices for 16GB and 128GB DDR5 modules by about 50% to $135 and $1,194. Prices for 64GB and 96GB DDR5 modules increased more than 30%, Gonnerman said.
A second source briefed by Samsung confirmed the hikes.
Samsung declined to comment but separately announced a new production line in South Korea, citing expected medium- and long-term AI-driven demand.
Industry executives and analysts said the shortage has triggered panic buying among some customers.
China’s top contract chipmaker SMIC said on Friday that the shortage has led customers to delay orders for other types of chips used in their products.
Xiaomi warned last month that soaring memory prices have raised smartphone manufacturing costs.
The crunch has benefited Samsung, which has trailed rivals in advanced AI chips and had not seen profits rise as sharply until recently.
Jeff Kim, head of research at KB Securities, said Samsung’s slower shift toward AI chips has given it stronger pricing power than SK Hynix and Micron.
TrendForce analyst Ellie Wang said Samsung could lift quarterly contract prices by 40–50% for October–December, above the industry’s average 30% increase.
She said demand is strong and companies are signing long-term deals through 2026 or through both 2026 and 2027.