Lenovo hints at PC price hikes in 2026 as AI-driven memory shortages worsen despite a 50% inventory stockpile

The Beijing-based computer maker increased inventory levels by 50 percent, according to CFO Winston Cheng, who spoke with Bloomberg TV. The stockpile helped Lenovo ride out the serious shortages in DRAM, LPDDR, DDR, GDDR, and HBM rocking the industry in the last quarter of 2025.

Cheng stated that Lenovo is working to retain its strong sales momentum to the end of 2025 by maintaining stable product prices.

AI boom creating shortages of all major memory types

The AI wave is worsening the scarcity of memory products, thanks to its voracious appetite for storage components. The pressure on the supply chain and increased production costs are expected to spill over into consumer electronics. Suppliers and analysts also warn that devices such as laptops, PCs, and smartphones can become more expensive.

Bloomberg reports that Chinese chipmaker SMIC expects the supply of electronics and automotive chips to be impacted by memory shortages in 2026. Popular phone maker Xiaomi has also warned that prices of its phones will rise next year for similar reasons.

Price adjustments likely in 2026 for Lenovo

The electronics giant earlier revealed it is sitting on enough inventory for 2026, and has secured long-term contracts. However, while it will benefit from scale, Cheng stated that Lenovo would have to strike a balance between price and availability next year.