SD Card Prices Plummet Amid AI Chip Shortage

A global shortage of AI chips is causing a ripple effect on the technology industry, with SSD prices skyrocketing as manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand. The sudden surge in demand for solid-state drives has led to a sharp increase in their prices, with some popular models seeing price hikes of over 200 percent. The WD Black SN850X 2TB SSD, which was available for $173 in early 2024, is now listed at nearly $649, while the 4TB version of the Samsung 990 Pro SSD has jumped from $320 to almost $1,000. Industry experts attribute the price surge to the global shortage of AI chips, which are essential components in many modern computers and devices. As a result, manufacturers are struggling to produce enough chips to meet demand, leading to supply chain disruptions and price increases for related products like SSDs. External storage solutions from companies like SanDisk have also been affected by the shortage, with some products seeing a staggering 200 percent price hike. In a move that highlights the severity of the shortage, Sony has announced that it will be suspending orders for its SD and CFexpress cards due to lack of availability. The shortage is also expected to impact other industries, including the gaming industry, which relies heavily on SSDs to improve performance and loading times in games. As the situation continues to unfold, consumers can expect prices to remain high until the AI chip shortage is resolved.