[News] Historic DDR4 Spot Price Rally Reportedly Doubles DDR5, Propelling Nanya Tech’s Inventory Windfall

Last week, Taiwan’s top DRAM maker Nanya Technology reportedly halted DDR4 spot price quotes amid soaring prices. Now, with DDR4 16Gb chips nearly twice as expensive as equivalent DDR5—a first in DRAM history—the company is poised to profit from its large inventory, according to the Economic Daily News, citing the latest data from DRAMeXchange, a DRAM pricing platform under TrendForce.

With major players like Samsung, Micron, and Chinese chipmakers scaling back DDR4 production, Nanya Technology has emerged as the industry’s primary supplier. According to the report, Nanya’s Q1 inventory soared to a record NT$37.59 billion. Once seen as money-losing stock, those chips have now turned into a goldmine, the report adds.

According to DRAMeXchange, the spot price of DDR4 16Gb (1Gx16) 3200 rose 4.35% on June 23 to an average of US$12. In sharp contrast, DDR5 16Gb (2Gx8) 4800/5600 held steady at just US$6.01.

Notably, according to TrendForce’s latest memory spot price trend report, SK hynix and Micron are currently in last-time buy negotiations with DDR4 customers, pushing spot prices higher as contract prices are also set to rise in Q3 2025.

In addition, industry insiders cited by the Economic Daily News also attribute the DDR4 price surge to the rumored U.S. plans to revoke export waivers for Samsung and SK hynix’s China fabs, which have heightened market uncertainty.

As a result, TrendForce now forecasts PC DDR4 contract prices in Q2 to jump 13–18% quarter-over-quarter—up from the previous 3–8% estimate—while Server DDR4 prices are set to climb 18–23%.

Looking ahead to 3Q25, supplier production strategies and tariff policies are the main uncertainties. If suppliers continue to tighten DDR4 production, speculative restocking could again push prices higher than expected, as noted by TrendForce.

Read more

• [Insights] Memory Spot Price Update: SK hynix, Micron Push DDR4 Last Buys as Phase-Out Boosts Q3 Prices
• [News] Taiwan’s DRAM Supplier Nanya Tech Reportedly Pauses DDR4 Spot Price Quotations Amid Tight Inventory

(Photo credit: Nanya Tech)