Surging semiconductor demand tied to the spread of artificial intelligence has driven memory prices sharply higher, prompting a steep increase in Sony's PlayStation 5 console prices in South Korea. The so-called “chipflation” is spreading across consumer IT devices.
Sony Interactive Entertainment Korea said on the 27th it will raise PS5 prices in the Korean market, with the new prices taking effect May 1.
The PS5 Digital Edition will rise 43.48% to 858,000 won from 598,000 won. The PS5 Disc Edition, which supports physical discs, will increase 26.74% to 948,000 won from 748,000 won. The higher-end PS5 Pro will climb 16.1% to 1,298,000 won from 1,118,000 won.
The adjustment follows moves in other markets. Earlier this month, Sony Interactive Entertainment raised PS5 prices by about $100 in major markets including the United States. At the time, SIE Vice President Isabelle Tomatis said, “Amid continued cost pressure across the global economic environment, a price adjustment was unavoidable.”
Industry officials point to structural shifts in the memory-chip market. As demand for AI servers jumps, chipmakers are focusing production on high-bandwidth memory and higher-capacity products, while supplies of consumer DRAM and NAND flash are tightening, analysts say.
Memory prices have been rising quickly. Counterpoint Research said first-quarter DRAM prices jumped more than 50% and NAND flash more than 90%. TrendForce forecast additional second-quarter increases of 90% to 95% for DRAM and 55% to 60% for NAND flash from the previous quarter.
The trend is extending beyond game consoles. Prices for laptops and smartphones, which also rely heavily on memory components, are rising as well. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have recently raised laptop prices by as much as nearly 1 million won compared with previous models, and new smartphone launch prices are also moving higher.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.