From WIRED · Boone Ashworth · · 1m 20s
Black Friday deals will cost more than ever
Rising memory prices and global economic challenges mean this year's holiday sales won't offer the bargains shoppers expect.
In brief
Rising memory prices and global economic challenges mean this year's holiday sales won't offer the bargains shoppers expect. Black Friday 2026 will see weaker discounts on electronics as memory shortages and economic turmoil push prices higher through 2027 and 2028. Originally reported by WIRED.
Everything is getting more expensive
The global economy faces challenges from the AI industry's memory crisis and the ongoing war in Iran, pushing prices up for consumer electronics like smartphones and gaming consoles.
Black Friday deals will disappoint
While sales have already begun, prices on offer may feel less like a deal than in years past. Weaker deals will likely revolve around products that use a lot of memory, or RAM.
Prices will stay high for years
Jitesh Ubrani, director of Consumer Devices Research at IDC, says things are getting more expensive and will probably continue to get more expensive well into 2027, maybe even 2028.
“Things are getting more expensive, and they'll probably continue to get more expensive well into 2027, maybe even 2028.”
Amazon has already raised prices
Amazon has hiked the prices of its latest Kindles, tablets, and Echo speakers, meaning its next sale on those devices likely won't impress compared to years past.
Buy now if you need something
The memory crisis isn't ending soon, so now might be the time to get something you need. Ubrani recommends purchasing the most performance you can afford today so the device lasts for years.
“They should be purchasing the most amount of performance that they can afford today.”
The short version
Black Friday 2026 will see weaker discounts on electronics as memory shortages and economic turmoil push prices higher through 2027 and 2028.
