DDR4 end of life: what is actually announced?
DDR4 does not have one universal end-of-life date. An announcement about a particular chip, module or customer segment is not an announcement that every DDR4 product has stopped being made or sold.
What Micron announced
Micron announced the start of 1α DRAM manufacturing in Virginia in May 2026 for long-lifecycle applications including DDR4 and LP4. This is evidence of a continuing DDR4 product line, not a guarantee of supply for every consumer memory kit.
What matters for an existing PC
Check the exact replacement kit and your motherboard's specification. DDR5 cannot replace DDR4 in the same slot. Current listed availability and a manufacturer's production decision are different facts; the price list shows the former.
Do not turn an outlook into a price forecast
Micron's June outlook describes tight DRAM and NAND supply beyond 2027. It does not give a date when the particular DDR4 kit you need will become cheaper.
Dated manufacturer and application information
Micron · Jun 24, 2026. Micron expects DRAM and NAND supply to remain tight beyond 2027. That is the manufacturer's outlook, not a date for a retail price cut.
Kingston. DDR4 and DDR5 cannot replace one another in the same memory slot. The motherboard determines which generation you need.
Micron · May 22, 2026. Micron started manufacturing its 1α DRAM in Virginia in May 2026 and describes the node as well suited to long-lifecycle memory, including DDR4 and LP4 products. This is distinct from the availability of every consumer DDR4 kit.
Compare prices and specifications
Current DDR4 listingsDDR4 retail price historyRAM price outlook