NAND Shortage Forces Sony to Halt Memory Card Orders

Sony has temporarily stopped accepting orders for CFexpress and SD memory cards due to a severe shortage of NAND flash memory. The shortage is driven by massive demand from expanding AI data centers, making procurement difficult. The company has not provided a clear timeline for resuming orders.

The affected products include CFexpress Type A, Type B, and SDXC/SDHC cards, which rely on TLC 3D NAND technology. This type of memory is widely used in enterprise SSDs, which are essential for handling AI workloads. As a result, manufacturers are prioritizing the more profitable enterprise market over consumer products.

This trend is expected to impact other companies as well. Micron Technology has already shifted focus away from consumer markets. Industry experts warn that the NAND shortage could persist until late 2027 or even 2028, potentially disrupting the availability of consumer memory products.