PC users hoping for cheaper RAM and SSDs in 2026 may have to wait longer. Memory prices have increased sharply this year, and the latest market forecasts suggest that prices are unlikely to fall significantly in the near term.

One of the biggest reasons is the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. AI data centers require huge amounts of memory, including DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (HBM), while large amounts of NAND storage are also needed for servers. Memory manufacturers are therefore giving more production capacity to AI and enterprise customers. This leaves less supply available for consumer products such as desktop RAM and client SSDs.

RAM Prices Remain Under Pressure

RAM has been one of the most affected PC components in 2026. TrendForce forecast conventional DRAM contract prices to increase by 13% to 18% during the third quarter of 2026. Although this is much slower than the huge increases seen earlier in the year, it still means the market is moving upward rather than downward.

The situation is particularly challenging for DDR5 memory. Manufacturers are prioritizing server and AI-related products because they offer strong demand and higher margins. As a result, consumer PC memory can remain relatively expensive even when demand from ordinary PC buyers becomes weaker.

However, there is some positive news for consumers. Buyers are becoming less willing to accept higher prices. PC and smartphone manufacturers are also becoming more cautious with their purchases because expensive memory increases the cost of their products. This could slow the pace of future price increases.

What About SSD Prices?

SSD prices are facing a similar situation because they depend on NAND Flash memory. Demand from AI data centers and enterprise storage has remained strong, putting pressure on NAND supply.

TrendForce expects NAND Flash contract prices to increase by around 10% to 15% in the third quarter of 2026. At the same time, consumer demand has weakened because SSD prices have already reached high levels.

There is a small reason for optimism in the consumer SSD market. PC manufacturers built up SSD inventories during the first half of the year, reducing their willingness to accept another large round of price increases. This has encouraged suppliers to become more flexible during negotiations.

Could Prices Fall Later?

A major price decline is possible if AI-related demand slows, memory production increases significantly, or consumer demand falls further. However, there is currently no strong indication that a major drop is about to happen.

The memory market is also expected to remain tight because manufacturers continue shifting capacity toward AI servers and other high-performance applications. Recent industry analysis suggests that memory supply could remain structurally tight beyond 2026.

For consumers planning a PC upgrade, waiting several months could still bring better deals on individual SSD and RAM models. Retail discounts can appear even when overall memory prices remain high. But buyers should not assume that waiting until the end of 2026 will automatically mean much cheaper components.

Overall, SSD and RAM prices may eventually stabilize, but a major price drop in 2026 looks uncertain. AI demand, limited production capacity and strong enterprise storage requirements are likely to keep pressure on the memory market for the rest of the year.

Meta has launched Muse, a new personal AI agent designed to do more than answer questions. The company says Muse can take action on behalf of users, helping with everyday tasks, planning and longer-term projects. The service was announced on September 8, 2026, and is initially available in the United States.

Unlike a traditional chatbot, Muse is designed to complete tasks independently after a user gives it a goal. It can send emails, book travel, fill out online forms, help organize plans and work on tasks even after the user closes the app. Users can communicate with Muse through its dedicated app or WhatsApp.

One of the biggest parts of the launch is Meta’s focus on privacy and security. Muse runs inside what Meta calls a Secure VM, a dedicated virtual computer in the cloud. The system is designed to keep a user’s data, credentials and activities separated from other users and services.

Meta has also created a separate security system called Sentinel. It monitors the actions Muse wants to take and can stop an action or ask the user for permission when necessary. For example, Muse can check with the user before sending an email or making a purchase. Users can also decide which apps and services Muse is allowed to access.

The company says Muse does not directly see users’ passwords or payment details. Credentials can be stored securely so the AI can use connected services without exposing the actual information to the model. Users can also disconnect services or change permissions whenever they want.

Muse is powered by Muse Spark, which Meta describes as its most capable model for real-world agentic tasks. The AI is designed to remember information that users choose to share, allowing it to provide more personalized help over time. Users can also tell Muse to forget information it has learned.

Meta is planning an additional privacy feature called Muse Confidential VM later this year. According to the company, this version will encrypt the entire virtual machine, including conversations and personal data, with a key controlled by the user. The goal is to make the information inaccessible even to Meta.

The launch also shows how quickly AI assistants are moving toward performing real-world tasks instead of simply generating text. However, giving an AI access to email, shopping, payments and other personal services also creates new security challenges. Recent reporting has highlighted concerns about reliability and possible security problems during internal testing, showing that users may still need to be careful about how much access they give an AI agent.

For now, Muse is rolling out in the U.S. on iOS, Android and the web, with plans to bring it to Meta’s AI glasses. Meta hopes Muse will become an important step toward its broader vision of personal AI that can handle more of the work people do every day.

Apple’s next major launch event is getting closer, and the iPhone 18 series is expected to be the biggest attraction. Apple fans around the world are waiting to see what the company has planned for its next generation of smartphones.

The event could bring the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and possibly Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone. Other Apple products and updates could also make an appearance.

While Apple keeps many details secret until its official presentation, reports and leaks have already given us an idea of what we may see.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Expected

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to lead Apple’s new smartphone lineup.

Apple traditionally improves the performance, cameras, battery life, and display of its Pro models every year. The iPhone 18 Pro series is therefore expected to continue this trend with a new generation of Apple silicon and improvements designed to make the phones faster and more efficient.

Camera upgrades are also expected to be an important part of the new models. Apple has increasingly focused on photography and video with its premium iPhones, so further improvements would not be surprising.

However, the final specifications will only become clear when Apple officially announces the devices.

Could Apple Finally Launch a Foldable iPhone?

One of the most exciting possibilities surrounding the event is Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

Samsung, Google, and other smartphone companies have already entered the foldable market, while Apple has so far stayed with traditional iPhone designs.

That could soon change.

Industry reports have suggested that Apple has been developing foldable technology. A foldable iPhone could offer users a regular smartphone experience when closed and a much larger display when opened.

If Apple introduces the device, it would represent one of the biggest changes to the iPhone since the product was first launched.

Apple has not officially confirmed all details about such a device, so reports about its design, specifications, and price should still be treated as expectations rather than confirmed information.

What About the Regular iPhone 18?

Another interesting question is what Apple plans to do with the standard iPhone 18.

Reports have suggested Apple could change its traditional iPhone release schedule. This could mean the Pro models arrive first, while some other iPhone 18 models launch at a later date.

Such a strategy would be a major change for Apple, which has traditionally introduced its main iPhone lineup together during its annual launch season.

Fans will therefore be watching closely to see whether Apple confirms a new release strategy.

More Apple Products Could Be Revealed

The event may not be limited to iPhones.

Apple often uses its major product events to introduce updates across its hardware lineup. New Apple Watch models, accessories, software features, and other devices could appear alongside the new iPhones.

Artificial intelligence is also likely to remain an important part of Apple’s future products as the company continues developing smarter features across its devices and software.

A Big Moment for Apple

The iPhone 18 generation could become one of Apple’s most interesting launches in years.

The expected iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max should bring the usual performance and camera improvements, but the possibility of a foldable iPhone makes this launch particularly important.

For now, many details remain based on reports and leaks. Once Apple takes the stage, we should finally find out which rumors were correct and what the company has planned for the next generation of the iPhone.