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Samsung Profit Surges as AI Memory Boom Tightens Supply

The company warns rising chip costs will lift electronics prices, with researchers forecasting steep DDR5 increases this quarter.

Overview

  • Samsung’s preliminary Q4 2025 operating profit reached 20 trillion won, up 208% year over year, on revenue of 93 trillion won.
  • Counterpoint reports DRAM and NAND prices jumped 40%–50% in Q4 and calls the market a “super bull,” projecting DDR5 prices to rise about 40% in Q1 and a further 20% in Q2.
  • Major suppliers are prioritizing higher‑margin server DDR5 and HBM, shrinking legacy product supply and prolonging near‑term shortages.
  • At CES, Samsung executive Wonjin Lee said memory shortages and cost spikes will push up prices across devices including phones, laptops, connected appliances and advanced autos.
  • Analysts say hyperscale buyers are securing large DRAM volumes at premiums, and Samsung has submitted HBM4 samples to Nvidia as expectations build for a 2026 shipment ramp.