Micron has announced that its Crucial brand will exit the consumer products market by February 2026, driven by increasing demand for memory and storage from AI data centers. This move is not due to declining sales, rather the growing profitability of supplying AI companies. Micron's decision has disheartened PC builders who rely on Crucial's affordable RAM and SSDs for upgrades. This shift may be the start of broader supply chain issues and price fluctuations in the hardware market, affecting high-end gaming and possibly leading to price hikes for consoles like the Xbox Series X/S.

Why is Micron exiting the consumer market for Crucial products?

Micron is exiting the consumer market for Crucial products to focus on the lucrative demand for memory and storage in AI data centers, which has become more profitable than consumer sales.

Crucial has been recognized for its quality and affordability, making it a favored choice among PC builders for years. Products like the Crucial MX500 SSD have established a strong reputation, especially for budget-oriented gamers. With the AI industry's insatiable demand for components, industry experts predict potential long-term repercussions for gamers and PC builders as hardware prices fluctuate.