The shortage of memory for computers and phones has reached a critical level. The situation is so tough that the companies manufacturing these parts (like Samsung and SK Hynix) are now “cherry-picking” who they will sell to. Basically, they have decided to prioritize only four major clients, leaving smaller manufacturers in a tight spot.
According to recent reports, the market has flipped: now the sellers make the rules, not the buyers.
The “Club of 4”
To ensure they don’t run out of parts and to profit more from long-term deals, memory suppliers are signing preferential agreements with just four tech giants: Lenovo, Dell, Apple, and ASUS.
These companies buy in massive quantities, making them the favorites of Samsung and SK Hynix. The report highlights that Apple, for instance, acted fast to ensure there would be no memory shortage for iPhone production. Meanwhile, Lenovo and ASUS also received VIP treatment from Samsung.
What Does This Mean For You?
For smaller brands and individual part manufacturers, the scenario is one of “drought.” They will struggle to get stock.
For the consumer, this changes the buying logic. In the near future, we won’t be looking for “what’s the cheapest” anymore, but “who actually has the product to deliver.” Since these four big brands have secured the inventory, buying a pre-built PC (from these brands) will likely be much easier and safer than trying to build a computer at home or buying from unknown brands.
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