DDR5 memory prices have been climbing steadily, pushing many PC builders to look back at DDR4 as a more affordable option. That shift hasn’t gone unnoticed. Samsung is now expected to continue producing DDR4 into 2026, even after previously signaling plans to wind it down.

The decision appears to be driven by sustained demand, particularly from enterprise customers. According to industry reports, Samsung has signed a non-cancellable, non-returnable (NCNR) supply agreement with a large client. The deal locks in fixed pricing and volumes, mainly for server and data-center use, including systems built for AI workloads.

That structure offers Samsung protection against price swings, but it also means consumer markets are unlikely to see a sudden influx of cheap DDR4. Production will continue, but much of the output is effectively spoken for.

SK Hynix is said to be taking a similar approach. While it has not fully exited DDR4 manufacturing, there are no signs of a major ramp-up. As a result, supply constraints could linger across both DDR4 and DDR5, keeping prices higher than many buyers would like.

There is, however, a silver lining for some PC users. Intel’s 12th-, 13th-, and 14th-generation processors still support DDR4 on compatible motherboards, extending the life of older platforms. Board makers are responding to that demand.

Not everyone expects prices to keep rising indefinitely. On the Hardware Unboxed Podcast, Sapphire PR manager Edward Crisler suggested memory pricing could stabilize within the next six months. He also pointed out that gamers have historically adapted well during periods of hardware shortages.

For now, DDR4’s extended production offers a stopgap rather than a solution. With enterprise customers taking priority, meaningful relief for consumers may still be some way off.

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Samsung has delayed the end of its DDR4 production line due to increased demand, and is expected to earmark output for a client signing an NCNR contract with the company.