Sony suspends memory card sales indefinitely as AI data centers drain global chip supply

Sony Halts Memory Card Production Amid AI-Driven Chip Crunch

Sony announced on March 27, 2025, that it is suspending orders for almost all of its memory cards, including CFexpress Type A, Type B, and SD card models1

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. The decision affects both vendor and consumer orders, with the company explicitly blaming the global memory shortage caused by rapid AI data center expansion2

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. In its official statement on the Japanese website, Sony acknowledged that "supply will not be able to meet demand for CFexpress memory cards and SD memory cards for the foreseeable future," marking a significant disruption in the consumer storage market1

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The suspension impacts six models of CFexpress cards and nine models of SD cards, including high-performance "TOUGH" cards designed for professional digital cameras3

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. While some lower-end SD cards and select CFexpress Type B models remain available temporarily, existing inventory is expected to deplete quickly2

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AI Data Centers Reshape Memory Chip Priorities

The semiconductor memory shortage stems from surging demand from AI infrastructure and high-performance computing applications. Data centers powering AI workloads are consuming massive amounts of DRAM and NAND storage, forcing manufacturers to prioritize high-margin enterprise products like SSDs over consumer items like memory cards2

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. The same semiconductors that power camera storage cards are now being redirected to fuel AI data centers, creating severe supply chain pressures across the consumer electronics sector3

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Sony is not alone in facing these challenges. Western Digital announced in February that it had sold out of all hard drives for the year, with 10 months remaining1

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. This pattern signals a broader industry shift where consumer storage products take a backseat to enterprise AI infrastructure needs.

Ripple Effects Across Gaming Industry and Consumer Tech

The storage shortage is creating widespread disruptions beyond memory cards. Sony recently announced massive price hikes on its current-generation PlayStation consoles, likely driven by the same supply constraints affecting its memory card business1

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. The gaming industry faces particular vulnerability, with Steam Deck supply issues, manufacturing disruptions for GPUs like the RTX 5070 Ti, and expectations of price hikes for upcoming consoles including potential increases for the Nintendo Switch 23

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Valve's Steam Machine remains without a confirmed price or release date despite targeting 2025, while speculation grows about delays for the Sony PlayStation 63

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. The RAM and memory crisis affects pricing and availability across technology sectors, from GPUs to game consoles both current and future.

No Timeline for Recovery

Sony's statement offers no clear timeline for when it will resume accepting orders or restore production capacity. The company indicated it will "consider it while monitoring the supply situation" and announce updates separately on product information pages1

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. While Sony frames this as a temporary suspension rather than a permanent exit, the indefinite nature of halting sales of memory cards leaves photographers, videographers, and consumers uncertain about when they can access these essential storage products2

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. For now, any cards remaining on store shelves may be the last available for an extended period.