Shrinkflation, where prices rise while specifications fall, is spreading across global IT devices including smartphones, laptops, consoles and desktops. The shift by SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics and Micron toward high-bandwidth memory for AI data centres is reducing supply of standard DRAM and NAND, supporting higher RAM prices. Set makers are passing margin pressure to consumers through price hikes and specification cuts, a trend the industry expects to persist until mass production of DDR6 ramps up.

Rising memory prices are spreading into the gaming laptop market, increasing the cost burden for high-spec models and leading some products to cut specifications at the same price. TechRadar said buyers risk getting weaker performance if they focus only on the graphics card name. It selected four models it said keep relatively balanced configurations, including options from Asus, Alienware and Acer. The assessment emphasised real component combinations over headline discount rates.