Story perspectives

US Sues Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron Over 700% DRAM Hike

6/30/2026

Summary

US Targets DRAM

The United States sued Samsung, SK hynix and Micron on June 25, 2026 in Northern District of California.
The complaint alleges supply cuts lifted DRAM prices 700 % and links the hikes to iPad and Mac price increases, noting three firms control about 90 % of DRAM sales, creating an oligopoly.
Judge Noel Wise projects DRAM prices to rise 40-50 % in Q3 2026 and 30-40 % in Q4 2026 while plaintiffs seek class status, an injunction and treble damages.

Summary

US Export Controls

The complaint says about 80 % of the firms’ capacity now produces high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI data-centers.
Plaintiffs cite OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s $1.4 trillion memory-purchase letter, later scaled back, and argue U.S. export controls block Chinese firms from DRAM gear, cementing the trio’s dominance.
New HBM capacity, already committed to multi-year deals with Microsoft, Google and Amazon, will be expanded by SK Hynix and Micron fabs, delaying consumer-grade RAM relief.

History

Historical Context

In 2002 the U.S. Department of Justice launched an antitrust probe that uncovered a DRAM price-fixing cartel operating from July 1998 to June 2002, implicating Samsung, Micron and other firms. The case led to fines and a five-year FTC monitoring program, and showed that three major suppliers—Samsung, Micron and SK Hynix—dominate the global DRAM market. The 2026 lawsuit revives that precedent as AI-driven HBM demand spikes.

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US Targets DRAM

The United States sued Samsung, SK hynix and Micron on June 25, 2026 in Northern District of California.
The complaint alleges supply cuts lifted DRAM prices 700 % and links the hikes to iPad and Mac price increases, noting three firms control about 90 % of DRAM sales, creating an oligopoly.
Judge Noel Wise projects DRAM prices to rise 40-50 % in Q3 2026 and 30-40 % in Q4 2026 while plaintiffs seek class status, an injunction and treble damages.

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