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Rising memory costs are creating fresh pressure for PC and smartphone manufacturers. A major driver is the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and the build-out of new AI infrastructure, which is absorbing a growing share of global memory supply. Manufacturers are increasingly prioritising components for AI datacentres, where margins are often higher than in traditional device categories. Yet memory chips, including DRAM and solid-state drive (SSD) storage, remain essential to the performance of the laptops, tablets and smartphones organisations rely on every day to empower their frontline workforce. Reports predict up to a 130% surge in combined DRAM and SSD prices by the end of 2026, adding further cost pressure across the device market. At the same time, the growth of AI is exposing just how fragile the semiconductor supply chain can be. Semiconductors sit at the heart of every modern device, and geopolitical disruption continues to create uncertainty around access to critical materials and manufacturing capacity....