Toshiba and Samsung Electronics are continuing to impose tight supply strategies towards flash drive and memory card manufacturers. This is having a negative impact on device shipments, including USB 3.0 storage devices, according to sources in Taipei.
The problem is due to Samsung focusing on supplying their own Galaxy brand products with quality NAND flash. Toshiba are apparently going to be increasing their memory prices by cutting down on production. Apple are working closely with Sandisk for NAND flash solutions in their iPhones.
This has the knock on effect of causing problems for smaller, less competitive companies to survive. Sources who also spoke with Digitimes said that the dedicated memory module industry is likely to go through restructuring, with smaller, second tier players likely to be eliminated.
Kitguru says: This global supply problem of NAND flash chips is likely continue until later in the year.