According to industry sources, after the steady price increases in DRAM and NAND, the NOR Flash market is now signaling an upcoming adjustment. Starting from the fourth quarter, regional markets are expected to reflect price hikes, with single-quarter growth potentially reaching double-digit percentages.

Previously, NOR Flash prices had remained weak due to sluggish end-market demand. However, in the third quarter, China led the trend with price adjustments of around 5% to 10%. Rising raw material and packaging costs have further accelerated this momentum. Memory packaging and testing company Chipmos confirmed that it raised related service quotes by 5% to 18% in Q3 to offset higher material expenses.

Although demand for NOR Flash has lagged behind DRAM since the second half of 2024 and has yet to show a strong rebound in 2025, the outlook is improving. Growing AI data center applications and a gradual recovery in the automotive sector are strengthening supply-demand balance, making price adjustments more sustainable. Analysts expect NOR Flash prices to climb by double digits in Q4, with the trend potentially extending into 2026.

Different manufacturers are also shaping the market with diverse strategies. GigaDevice focuses on mid- to low-density solutions and consumer electronics, while Macronix emphasizes automotive, industrial, and medical applications. Winbond Electronics, with its broad presence in consumer electronics, computing, and networking, holds a leading position. The company noted that stronger-than-expected demand for its 45nm high-density NOR Flash created delivery bottlenecks in Q2. To address this, Winbond has urgently procured new equipment, expecting testing capacity to ease in the second half and shipments to grow by double digits.

Industry observers highlight that Winbond's recovery in shipments since August has strengthened its ability to adapt to market shifts. The company is already in discussions with clients over Q4 pricing, and with demand looking solid for the second half of the year, the NOR Flash market could see both prices and volumes rise in tandem.