Zhong Guo Zheng Quan Bao·2026-01-13 21:51Core Insights - The demand for storage chips is surging due to the explosion of AI computing power, leading to tight supply and significant price increases [1][3] - Analysts predict that the price of storage chips will continue to rise in the first and second quarters of this year, with a potential increase of 40% to 50% by Q1 2026 and an additional 20% in Q2 2026 [2][3] Price Trends - The storage market has surpassed historical highs, with suppliers enjoying unprecedented bargaining power [2] - For example, the price of a single 256G DDR5 server memory module has exceeded 40,000 yuan, and a box of 100 modules has surpassed the price of some properties in Shanghai [2] - Prices for notebook memory modules have also seen significant increases, with Samsung's 16G DDR5 memory rising from over 380 yuan in September 2025 to 1,399 yuan by the time of reporting [2] AI Demand as a Driving Force - The core driver of rising storage chip prices is the explosive demand from AI applications, with over 15% of the global population using AI, leading to a massive surge in computing and model training needs [3] - Supply growth for storage chips is expected to be limited, with only a 7% to 8% increase projected for 2026 [3] - Major memory suppliers have announced that their AI server storage chip products for 2026 are already sold out, indicating a focus on high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and DRAM, which will restrict supply for consumer electronics [3] Capacity Expansion Efforts - Storage manufacturers have begun increasing capital expenditures to enhance production capacity through new facilities and equipment upgrades [4] - However, the construction and ramp-up of new production lines will take time, with supply relief not expected until the second half of 2027 [4] - Domestic manufacturers are actively expanding capacity and investing in high-end storage technology, which may increase their market share [4] Company Initiatives - Several companies are announcing plans to expand production and invest in research and development [4][5] - For instance, Tianshan Electronics is strategically investing in a vertical integration model for storage chip development and manufacturing [4] - Tongfu Microelectronics plans to raise up to 4.4 billion yuan for projects, including 800 million yuan for enhancing storage chip testing capacity, which will help expand production scale and optimize product structure [5] - Longxin Technology has submitted an IPO application to raise 29.5 billion yuan, with significant funds allocated for technology upgrades in DRAM manufacturing [5]