input 2026-01-25 10:39:38
correction 2026-01-25 10:39:38
As the graduation and new semester season approaches, memory semiconductor prices are soaring, and ‘AI inflation’ is in full swing.
As the prices of new products such as laptops and smartphones continue to rise, the burden on consumers is increasing and concerns are raised about a slowdown in demand.
According to related industries on the 25th, Samsung Electronics set the factory price of the 2026 laptop ‘Galaxy Book 6’ series, which will be released on the 27th, at a minimum of 3.41 million won.
Based on the Pro model, the price is 3.41 million won for the 14-inch model and 3.51 million won for the 16-inch model, a significant increase compared to the previous Book 5 Pro series.
The high-spec model, Book 6 Ultra, is priced at 4.63 million won and 4.93 million won, with the minimum spec entry price exceeding 4.6 million won.
LG Electronics also set the factory price of the new ‘LG Gram Pro AI 2026‘ 16-inch model at 3.14 million won, an increase of about 500,000 won compared to the previous model.
Global laptop manufacturers such as Dell, Asus, and Lenovo are also increasing the price of new products, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) PCs.
The reason for the price increase is the surge in memory semiconductor prices. According to market research firm DRAM Exchange, the fixed transaction price of general-purpose DRAM (DDR4 8Gb) for PCs has risen for nine consecutive months from $1.35 in March last year to $9.3.
This is due to the rapid increase in demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) due to the spread of AI, causing manufacturers to reduce production of general-purpose memory with relatively low profitability.
In addition, due to the high exchange rate due to the weakening won, the pressure to increase the price of finished products is increasing. This is because high-capacity memory and high-spec storage devices are essential for implementing AI PCs.
This trend is also spreading to the smartphone market. The industry believes that a price increase will also be inevitable for the ‘Galaxy S26’ series, which is scheduled to be released in February, and there are concerns that AI may become a growth engine while also causing a side effect of reduced consumption.
Reporter Jeong Yu-jin jinjin@hankyung.com
