SSDs cost several times what they did a year ago because AI data centers are buying up the flash memory they are made from. A Samsung 990 Evo Plus 1TB that once sold for about $59 was listed at $237 in October 2026.
How big the jump is
| Item | A year earlier | Q3 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 256GB TLC SSD (contract price) | about $33 | about $134 |
| 512GB TLC SSD (contract price) | about $62 | $252 |
Source: Notebookcheck, October 25, 2026, citing Tech Insider. Contract prices are what PC makers pay, not shelf prices.
At retail, a 1TB Gen4 NVMe drive averaged about $144 in mid-October 2026.
Why it happened
- AI demand. Data centers need huge high-capacity SSDs for AI, and enterprise demand by capacity is expected to grow more than 80% in 2026.
- Makers favor enterprise buyers. SK hynix has reportedly sold its output through the end of 2026, and Micron says over 75% of its expected fiscal 2027 output is committed.
- Less capacity than before. SanDisk's flash capacity is reportedly about 30% below its 2022 peak after cuts in the last downturn.
When prices might ease
TrendForce expects flash contract prices to rise another 15% to 20% in Q4 2026. New factory capacity from SK hynix and Micron is not expected to help much until mid-to-late 2027.
How to buy storage now
- Buy the size you need today, not the size you might want later. Upgrading later is unlikely to be cheaper soon.
- Open-box drives are worth a look: a cosmetic scuff does not matter inside a PC. See our open-box guide.
- Check the drive's health in the maker's software when it arrives.