It is officially January 10, 2026, and the fallout from CES 2026 has left the gaming community on high alert. During the event, Samsung’s top executives—including Co-CEO TM Roh and Marketing President Wonjin Lee—confirmed that a "memoryflation" crisis is about to make gaming significantly more expensive.
The primary culprit? The AI data center boom, which is consuming the global supply of DRAM and semiconductors at an unprecedented rate.
Why TVs and Monitors are Getting Pricier
Samsung is the world’s largest TV manufacturer, and their warning is a direct signal to consumers.
Component Costs: The price of DDR5 RAM and NAND storage (used in smart TVs and monitors) has more than doubled since October 2025.
The "Repricing" Phase: Wonjin Lee told Bloomberg that while Samsung tries to absorb costs, they have reached a point where "repricing" is inevitable. Expect a 10–15% price hike on 2026 TV models (like the new QN90F and S95F OLEDs) when they launch this spring.
Shortage Duration: Supply is expected to remain "critically tight" until at least early 2027.
The "Extortionate" Next-Gen Console Dilemma
While current consoles are feeling the pinch, the real concern lies with the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox (codenamed "Xbox Magnus").
Launch Delays: Reports from Insider Gaming suggest that Sony and Microsoft are debating pushing their 2027 release targets to 2028 or 2029.
Sticker Shock: Analysts warn that if these consoles launched today, the cost of their high-speed RAM alone would drive the retail price toward $799–$899.
Current-Gen Hikes: Don't be surprised to see "inflationary adjustments" for the PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X in late 2026, similar to the price hikes seen in Japan and Europe last year.
Valve’s Steam Machine: A Premium Alternative?
Rumors of a new Valve-made "Steam Machine" console have intensified, but leaked retailer listings from Smarty.cz suggest it won't be the "budget king" some hoped for:
512GB Model: Estimated at $799 (€815).
2TB Model: Estimated at $899 (€918).
Valve's Stance: Unlike the Steam Deck, which was sold at a "painful" (low) margin, Valve reportedly plans to price the Steam Machine closer to a mid-to-high-end gaming PC to ensure sustainability during the RAM shortage.
CES 2026 Hardware Impact Summary
| Category | Expected Impact | Timeline |
| Smart TVs | 10–20% Price Increase | Spring 2026 |
| Smartphones | $40–$60 hike (Galaxy S26) | February 2026 |
| PC RAM/GPUs | Continued 30% surge in DIY parts | Ongoing |
| Next-Gen Consoles | Potential 12-month delay | Late 2027 → 2028 |
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