“New electronics shipments are much more expensive than a few months ago,” say Slovak electronics sellers. They have noticed price changes for several months in a row, and according to them, the price increase is far from over.
If you planned to buy a laptop, smartphone, or tablet in Slovakia, get ready to pay more. Analysts predict that final prices for electronics could rise by 10-20% within a year, and the shortage of key components will last at least until 2027.
Why everything is getting more expensive: the AI boom is to blame
The main reason is the sharply increased demand for components for data centers, where AI models are trained and run. Manufacturers are shifting capacity to specialized memory for servers, especially HBM (High Bandwidth Memory), because it brings higher profits.
What this means in practice: there is no longer enough capacity for regular components for consumer electronics, that is, your phones, laptops, and consoles. A shortage has formed, and shortages are always fixed by price. More details about this process are written by the Slovak publication Pravda.
What has already become more expensive in Slovak stores
The biggest price jumps were for RAM (operational memory) modules and SSD drives. Some DDR5 modules in Slovak stores have become 3-5 times more expensive in just a few months. Datacomp gives a specific example: a memory kit that cost about 106 euros in September 2025 was sold for 488 euros in December of the same year.
Price increases for components have already affected finished electronics:
- Apple raised prices on some MacBook and iPad models by 15-30%.
- Microsoft announced price increases for Xbox consoles.
- Dell and HP also updated price tags on laptops.
This is not a local Slovak story. Prices are driven by global manufacturers, and Slovakia is just in the same boat.
Who will suffer the most: budget owners
The price increase will be especially noticeable for those buying cheap electronics. Analysts predict that the share of memory cost in production expenses for budget smartphones may rise from 20% to 40%.
Manufacturers of cheap models will face an unpleasant choice: either raise the price or save on other components by putting a worse camera, weaker screen, or smaller battery. For the same money, you will get either a more expensive phone or a technically weaker one. The Slovak tech portal writes that the most painful price increase will affect cheap smartphones and PCs.
How long will this last
Don’t expect a quick return to old prices. Analysts from IDC predict that the shortage of DRAM and NAND memory (used to make SSD drives) will last at least until 2027, because new production capacities are expected to launch then.
Depending on the scenario, final prices for PCs, tablets, and smartphones will rise by 10-20% within a year. The problem is global: foreign media also report memory shortages due to AI demand.
What to do if you need electronics right now
Some practical conclusions:
- If the purchase is unavoidable — don’t delay. Sellers say directly: each new shipment is more expensive than the previous one. The price you see today may seem like a bargain in a few months.
- Buy components separately and in advance. If you build or upgrade a PC, memory and SSDs are getting more expensive fastest, so buy them first.
- Consider last year’s models. They are often still sold at old purchase prices, while new revisions of the same electronics already come with higher price tags.
- Watch for store promotions. Amid overall price increases, the difference between stores grows, and comparing prices before buying now really saves tens of euros.
Cheap electronics will not be available soon. And this is not a marketing trick, but a result of the world investing money in artificial intelligence, not your new smartphone.
