Games & Commerce

Chipflation drives up console and PC prices, raising fears gaming becomes an expensive hobby

A memory chip shortage driven by a surge in AI server demand is rippling through the games market, lifting prices for consoles, PCs and potentially software. Prices for DRAM and NAND have jumped, and companies such as Sony have raised PS5 prices. Steam has revised currency pricing parameters for South Korea, which could lift local game prices depending on publisher choices. Higher device and server costs may hit demand and raise risks for Korean developers preparing major PC and console releases.

Telecommunications & Media

Samsung raises Galaxy phone and tablet prices in U.S. amid memory shortage impact

Samsung Electronics has raised U.S. prices for several Galaxy smartphone and tablet models, with the increases applying broadly across the Galaxy Tab lineup. Prices rose on some higher-storage phone variants such as the Galaxy Z Flip7 and Galaxy S25 Edge, while the Galaxy S26 series was excluded. The Galaxy Tab S11 and S11 Ultra saw wider hikes across multiple storage options. Some models are being discounted even as list prices rise.