AI demand drives SSD prices to sixth straight quarterly record
Nikkei reported that surging AI server demand has pushed SSD contract prices up for a sixth consecutive quarter to record highs, as makers prioritize AI-related orders over general-purpose PC supply. In July-September 2026, the benchmark TLC 256GB contract price was set at about $134.2 and the 512GB at about $252.0, both up 20% from the prior quarter and roughly three times year-earlier levels ($33.3 and $62.4). HDD contract prices also rose for a sixth straight quarter, with 3.5-inch 1TB at about $67.7 and 2.5-inch 1TB at about $61.2. Research firm Techno Systems Research estimates enterprise-class SSD shipments will reach 73.62 million units in 2026, up 30% from 2025.
Persistently higher storage prices raise the overall cost of AI data centers and enterprise hardware.