Samsung Nears Nvidia Deal on HBM4 Pricing as It Targets Early 2026 Shipments

Overview

• Samsung is reportedly close to matching SK Hynix’s mid‑$500 per‑stack HBM4 price for Nvidia, with a decision expected by year‑end 2025.
• People familiar with the plan say shipments could begin as early as the second quarter of 2026 if certification stays on track.
• Engineering samples were delivered to Nvidia in September, with results expected in late November and final qualification targeted for early 2026 after customer samples.
• Industry sources report HBM4 yield around 50% on Samsung’s 1c DRAM with a 4 nm base die, a configuration seen as offering performance gains alongside thermal challenges.
• Samsung plans a major 1c DRAM expansion from roughly 20,000 to as high as 150,000 wafers per month by 2026 and is preparing to unveil a faster HBM4, reportedly up to 3.3 TB/s, at ISSCC in February 2026.