Producers say it straight. This is the end of cheap SSDs

The era of cheap semiconductor media is coming to an end, and it’s not just about the top models. In my opinion Shunsuke Nakatomanaging director of the memory department in Kioxii (one of the largest NAND manufacturers), the days of affordable SSDs are over and will not come back, at least until the artificial intelligence craze slows down.

Nakato doesn’t beat around the bush – this year’s production is already completely sold out. Interestingly, the company uses quite unusual distribution strategy. Instead of choosing the highest offer or fulfilling orders on a first-come, first-served basis, he focuses on sort of a gentlemen’s agreement based on trust and long-term relationships with partners.

As the Japanese emphasize, It is not possible to physically speed up deliveries or suddenly increase volumes just because orders are increasing. Instead, Kioxia sets annual delivery plans with key customers and sticks to them regardless of market fever.

Still, the company hopes its plants in Yokkaichi and Kitakami will help partially alleviate the global NAND shortage. This is a positive change, because the Koreans – Samsung and SK hynix – are limiting production, switching their lines to DRAM (especially HBM). All this to increase margins.

The window to buy a cheap SSD closed a few months ago. If someone is planning to build a new or modernize their current PC, postponing the decision may end badly. Everything indicates that prices will remain on an upward course throughout 2026, and perhaps also into 2027.