McClean Report April 2026: Memory (DRAM, NAND, NOR) Market Update

Fueled by an AI supercycle, memory IC sales are forecast to surge 248% in 2026 as HBM and QLC SSD demand drives revenue growth but pressures PCs and smartphones.

Driven by an AI "supercycle" and relentless demand for HBM, memory IC sales are projected to grow a record-breaking 248% in 2026, reaching $706 billion. This historic surge centers on HBM and enterprise QLC SSDs—critical components for AI scaling.

Consequently, DRAM and NAND flash will dominate 99% of market revenue. This reveals a major structural shift: while AI components have low unit volume, their soaring prices account for the majority of total revenue. However, this prosperity is a double-edged sword. While datacenter infrastructure thrives, the high cost of memory is actively stifling the recovery of traditional PC and smartphone markets.