According to TrendForce research, the MLC NAND Flash market is undergoing a dramatic contraction as major suppliers pivot to advanced technologies. Global MLC NAND capacity is projected to plummet by 41.7% year-over-year in 2026. This supply shock is driven by Samsung's announcement that its MLC NAND products will reach end of life in June 2026, following a cessation of new orders in March 2025.

Other key manufacturers like Kioxia, SK hynix, and Micron have also curtailed production, focusing only on existing commitments. Consequently, the industry is facing a significant supply-demand imbalance. Since late Q1 2025, this scarcity has triggered aggressive stockpiling and early volume commitments, driving sharp price increases.

For legacy systems and specific industrial applications reliant on MLC technology, this shift necessitates urgent supply chain re-evaluation and potential redesign strategies to mitigate rising costs and availability issues.