DDR4 memory production set to persist until 2026 - Major manufacturers Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron set to keep supplying the industry with DDR4 products for an extended period
In a significant move for the technology industry, leading DRAM manufacturers Micron, Samsung, and SK hynix have announced plans to wind down their production of DDR4 memory. This transition marks the end of an era for the outdated yet still widely used memory standard.
Micron, the first to announce its plans, aims to cease DDR4 production in early 2026, with final shipments expected within 2-3 quarters from mid-2025. The company, however, will continue to support niche sectors and long-term contracts for DDR4 chips [1][3][4].
Samsung, on the other hand, has decided to postpone the shutdown of its DDR4 1z DRAM production lines until the end of 2025 due to strong demand and increasing prices. This extension is expected to generate millions of dollars in revenue for the company [1]. Samsung and SK hynix will maintain production of DDR4 memory until the end of 2025 and Q1-Q2 2026, respectively [1][4].
SK hynix, the last high-volume producer of DDR4 memory, will wind down its production between the first and second quarters of 2026. However, it remains uncertain whether the company will prolong volume production of DDR4 beyond Q2 2026 [1].
Despite production ending, DDR4 memory will remain widely available in the market for a few more years due to existing stocks, continuing support for specialized markets (such as automotive, defense, industrial, and telecom sectors), and ongoing demand for certain server and PC applications [1][2].
The decline of the DDR4 standard usually happens within two to three years of the new standard's release. In this case, the transition to DDR5 is underway, and the transition process is expected to take around seven to eight years [4].
The reduction in supply combined with steady demand has caused DDR4 prices to surge sharply in 2025, with the price increase expected to last through the end of 2025 and potentially into 2026 before stabilizing [4][5].
In summary:
- Micron plans to end DDR4 production in early 2026, with Samsung aiming to cease production by the end of 2025, and SK hynix continuing production until about mid-2026.
- DDR4 availability is good now but shortages are expected in coming quarters due to production ramp-down.
- Demand from legacy PC, server, and industrial segments remains "rigid".
- Prices for DDR4 memory are elevated through late 2025 and likely into early 2026.
- Gradual transition as DDR5 adoption grows, but DDR4 will remain in use and available in the market for some years after production ends.
[1] TechCrunch
[2] AnandTech
[3] Tom's Hardware
[4] Semiconductor Engineering
[5] DigiTimes
Technology companies, such as Micron, Samsung, and SK hynix, are shifting towards data-and-cloud-computing by transitioning from DDR4 memory production, marking an end to the era of the outdated yet still popular memory standard. Despite this transition, the technology sector will continue to leverage DDR4 memory due to its ongoing relevance in certain niche sectors and specific applications.
