Trying to dodge the 2026 tech price hikes? Here’s the gear I’d buy sooner rather than later, plus practical tips for finding the best deals

We’ve all seen the news – massive data center-driven demand (mostly for AI) has sent prices for RAM and other microchips skyrocketing. That’s not hyperbole either – DDR5 is about 4x as expensive as it was in mid-2025, while many SSDs have doubled in price.

Some memory brands, such as Crucial, have exited the consumer market entirely. While the underlying tech has major upsides, clear signs of an AI investment bubble seem to only be fueling demand, as companies lock in purchases now, while the going is still good.

Even more so than ever before, it’s very important to make sure you are getting the best deal when buying new tech, so to help, I have included important buying advice, plus listed relevant guides from TechRadar experts.

While prices are already up, you should expect continued rises in desktops, laptops, Mini PCs and even the humble Raspberry Pi. The key underlying price increases are for RAM and SSDs, and these are also the areas most likely to see stagnant or downgraded spec.

Budget and mid-range laptops and desktops typically have thin profit margins, so will tend to pass on cost increases sooner than higher-end machines.

Right now there’s still a decent amount of laptop stock built before the most recent price rises. These offer some of the best deals – especially as some are even discounted due to getting replaced by updated models.

Below are some great buyer’s guides to the best pre-built machines:

Storage and RAM price increases have impacted console pricing already as they already have high manufacturing costs and struggle to break even at the best of times. Not to mention, accessories like PS5 SSDs are only getting more expensive.

Sony has said that while their current inventory has helped soften the impact of increasing costs, they may be passed on to consumers in the future. Nintendo says they are monitoring the situation, but experts think a price rise for the Switch 2 is likely in 2026.

There’s also been leaks about potential Xbox cost increases. Even Valve’s highly anticipated Steam Machine has been delayed.

Higher profit console bundle deals will likely help buffer the impact at first, so will be worth looking out for offers with games or controllers included.

Looking at a console upgrade or just need more storage? We have you covered:

While RAM has been hit hardest (with more pain to come), GPUs, SSDs and even mechanical HDDs have all seen significant price rises, with no sign of leveling off in 2026.

Nvidia has warned it may not have new gaming GPUs in 2026, and the RTX 6000 series launch will likely slip from 2027 to 2028. Rumors also suggest AMD graphics cards are likely to see more price increases and maybe even memory reductions this year.

Most retailers price stock in batches, based on order cost, so expect to see sudden jumps as they restock, not gradual increases. Being flexible with your builds is key – even consider system builders, rather than DIY, as it can actually be cheaper in many cases.

We enthusiasts often snub big name brands like HP and Dell and their boring, lower spec builds, but thanks to larger volumes their system prices often lag behind the rises seen in stand-alone components or smaller builders, and they are worth double checking.

Looking to buy RAM, an SSD or a GPU? Our buyer’s guides have everything you need:

While not yet having a major impact, rising RAM and storage costs are impacting portable devices. It’s more apparent on the affordable end, where the increases are a bigger part of the total cost, but we expect this to extend to more premium options through 2026.

Apple is likely in a better position to buffer the rises due to large scale and purchasing power when negotiating pricing and relatively high margins. In contrast, many affordable Android phone brands have little choice other than quickly passing on price increases to customers.

We also expect phone specs (especially RAM and storage) to stagnate through 2026, or even go backwards.

The takeaway here is that if you need an upgrade, then premium devices can offer better value for money – at least for now.

Need a new phone, tablet or other portable device? These guides cover what’s best:

While SSDs have seen the biggest increase, with costs doubling in many cases, it’s also hitting other areas. Even traditional mechanical HDDs have seen price increases of up to 50% due to demand for data center bulk storage.

Where it will hit consumers hardest is in everyday storage like SD cards and USB drives. SD cards had been steadily dropping to bargain prices over the last few years, but now they are up by 50% (and often higher, for larger sizes) in the past 6 months. While still somewhat insulated from the hikes, some USB drives (especially larger capacities) are up to twice as expensive compared to the same time last year and brands like PNY scaled back Black Friday flash drive promos.

These increases also affect the pricing of devices that bundle in SD cards, from dash cameras to gaming consoles. Watch for shrinkflation too, as sellers switch to lower capacities to reduce costs. If in doubt, compare to reviews of the previous generation models and see how new bundles compare.

Need more storage and don’t want to get priced out? Check out our guides for the best deals and buyer info:

For example, recent analysis from TrendForce (a market intelligence and consulting firm) suggests the cost of panels used for TVs and monitors is on the rise, and combined with increased demand, will likely result in increased prices through 2026. Many Smart TVs are also seeing price pressure due to the CPUs and RAM they use.

Audio gear isn’t immune either, and everything from soundbars to high-res audio DACs might be next to see prices go up.

Changes to chip production also mean that many of the little controller microchips in all manner of devices, from smart appliances to simple USB chargers, will also start to cost more.

Looking at a new TV or monitor? Here are some handy guides:

Windows lovers might even do well to consider Apple machines – so far the brand has held fairly firm with prices and is better equipped to shelter its buyers from price fluctuations than smaller companies. There are even rumours that Apple is preparing to launch a new, cheaper MacBook in 2026 – albeit with reduced specs and RAM.

As always, it’s important to check out reviews for any products you are interested in, to find out if the manufacturer has skimped on any key components to keep the price down.

It’s not possible to say with any certainty, but it’s expected to last through to at least 2027, and even then potentially take years for increased supply to bring prices down to early 2025 levels.

That said, there are also plenty of unknowns that may make the situation much worse. For example, the majority of the world’s chip manufacturing comes from Taiwan, and any disruptions to the Silicon Shield would have large global impacts.

The US government also continues to use tariffs in a way that can destabilize supply chains, resulting in price increases in unpredictable places.

On the flip side, China is rapidly ramping up its own microchip production, and leading PC manufacturers are looking to RAM made by ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT). The new memory is also likely already entering the consumer market under names like KingBank and Gloway which at least provides a little more competition, though not price relief.

So for now, don’t delay a tech purchase or upgrade if you need it, but make sure you do your research and shop smart.

What tech products or categories have you seen going up in price? Let me know in the comments!