Tech prices surge as 'RAMageddon' chip shortage hits laptops, phones and consoles
A global shortage of memory chips is pushing up the cost of laptops, phones, tablets and games consoles, with Which? experts pointing to where remaining bargains can still be found.
What’s happening
Consumers buying laptops, phones, tablets and games consoles in 2026 are facing higher prices than in previous years, according to Which?, which says a global shortage of Ram memory chips is driving up costs across the tech market.
Which? says demand from AI companies and large data centre rollouts has outpaced the supply of memory chips, while a shortage of helium gas, needed to manufacture the chips and partly sourced via the Strait of Hormuz, has also been affected by reduced shipping linked to the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.
How much more are people paying
The price rises are hitting some of the UK’s most popular devices. Apple has increased the price of iPhones by £100 across the board, including older and refurbished models, Which? reports.
Games console prices have risen sharply too. Microsoft raised Xbox prices towards the end of 2025 and increased the cost of an Xbox Series X again this August, this time by £170, taking the price to £670. Sony raised the price of a PS5 by £90 in March.
Tablets have also been affected. Apple’s 11-inch iPad (2025) now costs £429, £100 more than its launch price, although Which? still rates it as one of the cheaper options on the market and the lowest-priced new iPad since 2022.
Which? says Ram now accounts for around 40% of a mobile device’s build cost, up from roughly 15% last year, which is prompting manufacturers either to raise prices, cut Ram levels, or both. Some premium laptops are now shipping with 8GB of Ram rather than 16GB, while some tablets may come with 8GB or even 6GB.
Who is affected
The price increases affect anyone in the UK looking to buy a new laptop, phone, tablet or games console in 2026. Which? says budget-end Windows laptops have seen some of the steepest rises, with fewer good options available at lower price points. Buyers of Apple products, including iPhones and the newer iPad, are also paying more than at launch.
Which? notes that Android phones, and Google Pixel devices in particular, have tended to see bigger price drops than iOS devices, meaning deals are more likely to be found there than on Apple handsets.
What Which? found when it looked for value
Despite the rises, Which? highlighted some devices it considers to still offer reasonable value. These include the Acer Aspire 14 (NX.JNQEK.003), an older laptop model it says can still be found in stock for under £700, down from a sub-£800 launch price in 2025, with 16GB of Ram, a 512GB SSD and an OLED display. It also pointed to the Google Pixel 9a as a mid-range phone with specs similar to pricier Pixel models, and the 11-inch iPad (2025) as the cheapest new iPad available since 2022.
What happens next
Which? says shoppers are more likely to find remaining bargains on older stock before it runs out, rather than on newly released models, as manufacturers continue adjusting prices and specifications in response to the component shortage. The organisation has not given a timeframe for when Ram prices or wider component costs might stabilise.