DDR4 RAM manufacturers aren’t ready to give up on last-gen memory just yet, phase-out plan reportedly slowed
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The phasing out of DDR4 RAM has been on the radar for some time now; however, according to new reports, it would appear that this is causing some expected and unexpected outcomes.
According to reports, global memory giants have been phasing out or discontinuing DDR4 DRAM production, so they can push forward on other, more advanced products. These include the likes of DDR5 and high-bandwidth memory, or HBM.
Now, it would appear that some of these major global players may be starting to soften their phase-out plans, reportedly in response to severe short-term supply issues for DDR4, in some cases driving the price higher than DDR5, and other broader impacts on the market.
Notably, according to @Jukanlosreve on X, sourced from a report by DigiTimes Asia, some memory module suppliers have revealed that SK Hynix, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of DRAM, has reportedly slowed its discontinuation schedule, allowing for final orders to extend through the fourth quarter of 2026.
How the phase-out has and could impact the market
Price surges are the most obvious effect of the phase-out of DDR4 RAM, which can be seen clearly in a previous report by TrendForce that we reported on in June 2025.
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According to reports, multiple price hikes from Samsung were spotted on DDR4 RAM, and according to @Jukanlosreve, first-round pricing for DDR4 8GB chips was around $3.8, but after rapid market escalation, the second-round prices shot up to $5.7. They go on to mention that 16GB products had risen above $11.
There’s also a potential impact on low to mid-capacity industrial control and consumer applications, in addition to mid-range smartphones that still use LPDDR4 or LPDDR4X. And on top of that, there’s also some risk of premature discontinuation with DDR4-compatible SSDs if the phase-out is too aggressive.
What’s next?
With some of the major South Korean chipmakers reportedly easing their phase-out plans for DDR4 amid the supply crunch, we could see prices for DDR4 stabilize once more; however, we’ll have to monitor the situation closely. For now, only time will tell, but be sure to check back in with us soon for all the latest as this story develops.
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