Home / Technology / RAM Shock: Gaming Handhelds Face Sky-High Prices
RAM Shock: Gaming Handhelds Face Sky-High Prices
3 Apr
Summary
- Gaming handheld prices have surged due to economic factors like RAM costs.
- Lenovo's Legion Go 2 price increased from $1,350 to $2,000.
- Ayaneo and Retroid have suspended sales or increased prices on handhelds.
The market for small gaming devices is being severely impacted by economic forces, particularly rising RAM prices. Lenovo, a major PC manufacturer, is struggling to keep its gaming handhelds and tablets affordable. The Lenovo Legion Go 2, initially launched at $1,350, is now listed on Best Buy for $2,000, with open-box models also significantly marked up.
Even Lenovo's gaming tablets are affected. The third-gen Legion Tab, previously around $380, was removed from sale by April and is now listed as 'Available Soon.' This situation extends to nearly all of Lenovo's tablets, with only some models like the Legion Go S remaining relatively affordable.
The surge in RAM prices is largely attributed to the high demand from AI data centers. While recent reports suggest a slight decrease in consumer RAM costs, projections indicate significant price spikes are expected in the latter half of 2026. DRAM prices may increase by up to 60%, and NAND flash storage by 75%.
Smaller gaming handheld brands are facing even greater challenges. Ayaneo has suspended sales of its Next II model due to escalating NAND storage costs, warning of further price increases for other devices. Retro handheld maker Retroid has also temporarily discontinued its Pocket G2 handheld and increased prices on other models, citing memory pricing fluctuations. The overall trend suggests fewer gaming products will be available, and remaining options will become more expensive.
