HBM

Samsung Electronics reported a robust semiconductor recovery in Q3 2025 with operating profit of KRW 12.2 trillion (US$8.6 billion), driven by its Device Solutions division and record-high memory revenue fueled by HBM3E and server SSD sales. This rebound, ending four quarters of decline, stems from strategic shifts, improved market dynamics, and growing AI chip demand. Samsung is mass-producing HBM3E and sampling HBM4, aiming for continued growth in the AI infrastructure market. Foundry business also improved, while System LSI faced challenges.

Samsung Electronics reported a strong Q3 rebound driven by surging demand for memory chips used in AI applications. Operating profit increased 32.9% year-over-year, exceeding analyst expectations. The chip business saw a tenfold increase in operating profit compared to the previous quarter. Samsung regained its position as the leading memory market player and anticipates continued growth in AI chip demand, focusing on mass production of HBM4 in 2026. The Mobile eXperience division also demonstrated positive growth fueled by flagship smartphone sales.

SK Hynix reported record revenue and profit driven by soaring demand for its high bandwidth memory (HBM) solutions crucial for generative AI. The company’s HBM focus has made it a key player in the AI infrastructure market, with its 2026 memory product supply already fully committed. Revenue increased 39% and operating profit 62% year-over-year in Q3. SK Hynix aims to maintain its HBM leadership, supplying next-gen HBM4 chips. While competitors like Micron and Samsung are entering the HBM market, analysts project SK Hynix will preserve its dominant share throughout 2025.

Samsung and SK Hynix shares surged following news of their partnership with OpenAI on the Stargate initiative. The collaboration aims to boost the supply of advanced memory chips crucial for next-generation AI, driving investor confidence. OpenAI emphasized the importance of these chips for powering its sophisticated AI models and is exploring AI data center development in South Korea. SK Hynix is mass-producing next-generation HBM chips, while Samsung is pursuing certification of its HBM4 chips by Nvidia, signaling a competition for leadership in the HBM market driven by AI demand.

In Q2 2025, SK Hynix surpassed Samsung as the leading memory manufacturer, reporting ₩21.8 trillion in sales versus Samsung’s ₩21.2 trillion. This shift is driven by high demand for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) fueled by the AI boom. SK Hynix benefited from its HBM partnership with Nvidia, while Samsung’s HBM shipment share declined. Samsung anticipates potential price declines for its HBM3E but expects rising DRAM prices to offset the impact. Both SK Hynix and Micron are increasing HBM3E production, intensifying market competition.

SK Hynix reported a record-breaking Q2 2025, driven by high demand for its memory solutions, especially HBM. Revenue surged 35% YoY to ₩22.232 trillion, with operating profit up 68% to ₩9.2129 trillion. This performance was attributed to strong DRAM and NAND flash memory shipments, particularly advanced HBM3E products benefiting from the AI boom. SK Hynix anticipates continued growth in H2 2025, focusing on server modules, high-capacity SSDs, and 321-layer NAND flash technology to solidify its market leadership.

In 2018, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang proposed a collaboration with Samsung encompassing HBM, advanced process node development, and CUDA advancement. Reportedly rejected due to Samsung’s internal challenges, this decision allowed Nvidia to partner with SK Hynix for HBM, a lucrative alliance that saw SK Hynix’s share price surge. Meanwhile, Samsung now lags in HBM production and the AI chip foundry market, dominated by TSMC for Nvidia’s chips. Samsung is now trying to catch up, aiming for HBM4 contracts.

SK Hynix has surpassed Samsung to become the world’s largest DRAM revenue generator in Q1 2025, fueled by high bandwidth memory (HBM) demand. A report from Omdia shows SK Hynix generated $9.718 billion in revenue, securing a 36% market share and dethroning Samsung, which held the top spot since 1992. Although a slight decrease from Q4 2024, SK Hynix’s performance highlights the shifting dynamics in the DRAM market.