Sony halts memory card orders globally due to AI-driven chip shortage
Sony has temporarily suspended orders for nearly all its CFexpress and SD memory cards due to a global semiconductor shortage, largely driven by the immense demand from AI data centers. This move affects professional photographers and videographers, leading to product scarcity and significant price hikes.
Key Highlights
- Sony halts orders for most memory cards, including SD and CFexpress.
- Global semiconductor shortage, fueled by AI data center demand, is the primary cause.
- Professional photographers and videographers face severe storage shortages.
- Prices for memory cards have tripled, with further increases expected.
- No clear timeline for the resumption of orders has been provided by Sony.
- The shortage impacts all tiers of NAND flash production.
Sony has taken the drastic step of temporarily suspending orders for almost its entire lineup of CFexpress and SD memory cards, a move attributed to a severe global shortage of semiconductors, particularly NAND flash memory. This critical situation is largely driven by the insatiable demand from Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers, which are consuming vast quantities of these components for training and inference processes. The announcement, made by Sony Japan on March 27, 2026, impacts both authorized dealers and direct consumers, with no clear end date for the suspension.
The shortage affects a wide range of Sony's memory card products, including CFexpress Type A and Type B cards across various capacities, as well as a significant portion of its SD card portfolio, including the robust TOUGH-series and even lower-tier V30-rated cards. Only a few specific models, such as the 960GB CFexpress Type B card and some entry-level SF-UZ series SD cards, appear to remain unaffected.
This unprecedented move by Sony highlights the growing strain on semiconductor supply chains. Industry analysts and reports indicate that NAND flash prices have seen substantial increases, with forecasts for Q1 2026 showing jumps of 55-60% quarter-over-quarter. DRAM contract prices are also projected to rise by 90-95%. Consequently, memory card prices have reportedly tripled in recent months, and this suspension is expected to exacerbate the scarcity and drive prices even higher.
The implications for professional photographers and videographers are significant. These individuals rely heavily on high-capacity, high-speed memory cards for their work, and the current shortage disrupts critical workflows, potentially forcing them to seek alternative solutions or make do with limited storage. The broader consumer electronics market is also feeling the effects, with similar shortages impacting components for devices like gaming consoles and PCs.
While Sony has stated that it will monitor the supply situation and announce a resumption of orders separately, there is no definitive timeline provided. Some industry observers suggest that a resolution might not be expected before late 2027 or 2028, as NAND production capacity would need to significantly increase to meet the overwhelming demand from both AI and consumer markets.
This situation is not isolated to Sony; other companies, like Micron, have also shifted their focus away from consumer products towards the more lucrative enterprise market due to similar supply pressures. The CEO of flash controller manufacturer Phison has warned that the NAND shortage could lead to the standstill of entire consumer electronics companies.
The global impact of this shortage is far-reaching. While the initial announcement from Sony Japan is specific to that market, the underlying global shortage means that these disruptions are likely to be felt worldwide. The scarcity of NAND flash, exacerbated by AI's growing appetite for data, underscores the interconnectedness of the technology industry and the vulnerability of consumer product availability to shifts in demand for specialized high-performance computing.
In India, this news is relevant as it affects the availability and pricing of essential equipment for creative professionals in photography and videography. The increased cost and limited availability of memory cards could impact content creation workflows and the consumer electronics market, although the direct impact on Indian consumers might be felt slightly later as existing stock is depleted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Sony suspending memory card orders?
Sony has temporarily suspended orders for most of its memory cards due to a global shortage of semiconductors, particularly NAND flash memory. This shortage is largely driven by the high demand from AI data centers.
Which Sony memory cards are affected by this suspension?
The suspension affects nearly all of Sony's CFexpress Type A, CFexpress Type B, and SD memory cards. Some high-end models and even some lower-tier SD cards are included, with only a few specific models remaining in production.
When will Sony resume memory card orders?
Sony has not provided a specific timeline for resuming orders. They stated that they will monitor the supply situation and announce any resumption separately. Some reports suggest a resolution might not be expected before late 2027 or 2028.
What is the impact of this shortage on prices?
Memory card prices have reportedly tripled in recent months due to the shortage. The suspension of orders is expected to lead to further price increases and scarcity for consumers and professionals alike.
How does AI demand affect memory card production?
AI data centers require massive amounts of NAND flash and DRAM for their operations. This immense demand is diverting production away from consumer-grade products like memory cards, leading to supply constraints and higher prices for these consumer devices.