The SSD market will experience a novelty a price increase that can reach up to 25%. This will be a direct result of an increase in the price of NAND Flash memory contracts in the second quarter of the year, according to projections published by TrendForce, a major technology consultancy.

Manufacturers such as Kioxia and WDC have increased NAND Flash production capacity, but due to the continued decline in prices in previous quarters, other major manufacturers such as Samsung, which remains a giant in this market, have taken a more conservative stance. , which caused a drop in inventory.

Added to all of the above is the growing demand that is driven by various players. In the case of eMMC storage solutions, the demand comes first by Chinese smartphone manufacturers, which use it in economy terminals. UFS solutions have seen a significant increase in demand in India and Southeast Asia, and major Chinese brands are increasing their orders to avoid inventory issues.

In terms of enterprise SSDs, the growth in demand occurred primarily in North America and Chinaand growth forecasts are maintained on a “quarter-by-quarter” basis for the first quarter of the year. Many would already start replenishing NAND Flash memory stocks ahead of the peak price level expected in the second half of 2024.

Consumer SSDs also maintain a price growth forecast, though It will not be marked as in the case of business units. In this case, the most important demand will be from Chinese manufacturers of storage modules for mobile devices, who are receiving many orders and need to replenish stocks.

How much will the price of SSD and other NAND Flash storage solutions increase?

• The price of eMMC and UFS solutions will increase by 10% to 15% in the second quarter of the year. In the first quarter, they have already risen, theoretically, between 25% and 30%.
• Enterprise SSDs will grow by 20% to 25% in the second quarter of the year. Already in the first quarter they increased by 23% to 28%.
• Consumer SSDs will increase by 10% to 15% in the second quarter of the year. They rose 23% to 28% in the first quarter.
• TLC and QLC NAND Flash memory wafers will increase by 5% to 10% in the second quarter of the year. They rose 23% to 28% during the first quarter.
• Overall, the price of NAND Flash memories will increase by 13% to 18% during the second quarter of the year. It rose between 23% and 28% in the first quarter.

Keep in mind that all the data we have are market projections and therefore the actual results once confirmed may be slightly different. I can confirm it though The price of SSD drives has increased in recent months at all levels and that the difference is noticeable even at the most economical scales.