The recent increase in prices of SSD should increase at least in the first quarter of 2024. “Thank you” Samsung?
For several weeks now, TrendForce has been warning of a very upward trend in the NAND market, this type of Flash memory which is very widely used, particularly in SSDs.
Last November, TrendForce went so far as to anticipate an increase in NAND prices of 10 to 20% depending on the manufacturers. An increase which has already started and which Samsung does not seem to want to stop.
SSDs trending upwards since the end of 2023
The most attentive among you may have noticed that the very sharp drop in the price of SSDs observed throughout 2023 was stopped in November/December.
Since then, we have seen a rise in prices, even if various promotional operations on products from older ranges may lessen this impression. These are obviously just two examples and taken from a single retailer, but the Corsair MP600 PRO LPX and Samsung 990 PRO on Amazon confirm this trend.
In July 2023, the two SSDs reached their lowest price ($70) before rising again in December (respectively $75 and $100) and confirming this trend in January ($90 and $110). The world’s leading NAND manufacturer, Samsung would therefore be no stranger to this increase.
Inflation in the first quarter of 2024… at least
With a market share estimated at 30% on NAND, Samsung does not rule rain or shine, but its influence is all the more important as the company is often followed by its compatriot SK Hynix (around 15% share Steps).
Relayed by Computer Base And Wccftechthe online edition of The Chosun Daily clarified Samsung’s intentions. The South Korean company is reportedly on its way to a 50% reduction in its NAND production compared to the peak reached during the summer of 2023. While demand is up slightly, this reduction in production can only maintain the inflation already noted for several weeks.
As long as the price increase has no real impact on demand, it is difficult to imagine Samsung changing gear: the drop in sales volumes is largely offset by the increase in its prices. In other words, it’s not tomorrow that 8TB SSDs will become affordable.
Source : Computer Base, Wccftech
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