Samsung reclaimed first place in global DRAM revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to figures attributed to Omdia. Samsung generated about $19.1 billion and a 36.6% share, narrowly ahead of SK hynix at roughly $17.2 billion and 32.9%.
The result is significant for semiconductor investors and the AI infrastructure supply chain, but it does not prove that Samsung has overtaken SK hynix in high-bandwidth memory (HBM). The comeback appears to reflect a combination of higher prices, strong server-memory demand, product mix and expanded HBM sales.
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What Samsung actually regained
The ranking refers specifically to global DRAM supplier revenue share in Q4 2025, covering October through December. It does not necessarily indicate leadership in unit shipments, bit output, operating profit, annual 2025 revenue, or HBM alone.
Omdia’s DRAM Preliminary Market Tracker – 4Q25, published on February 23, 2026, covers supplier performance for the quarter. Its detailed tables require a subscription, while the figures below were publicly attributed to the tracker.
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The Q4 2025 ranking
| Supplier | Estimated DRAM revenue | Global share |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | About $19.1 billion | 36.6% |
| SK hynix | About $17.2 billion | 32.9% |
| Micron | Not specified in the same public table | 22.9% |
| Other suppliers, including CXMT | — | CXMT about 4.7% |
| Total market | About $52.47 billion | — |
On this estimate, the global DRAM market grew approximately 30% quarter over quarter. Samsung’s estimated revenue increased 40.6%, allowing it to pass SK hynix even though SK hynix also grew strongly.
TrendForce independently reached the same broad conclusion. Its Q4 2025 analysis estimated Samsung’s DRAM revenue at $19.30 billion, with a 36% share, versus $17.22 billion and 32.1% for SK hynix. TrendForce estimated the total market at $53.58 billion, up 29.4% sequentially.
These figures should not be combined into one calculation. Differences can result from market segmentation, currency conversion, shipment estimates, revenue definitions and reporting timing. The important point is that both firms put Samsung narrowly back in first place.
Why the ranking changed
The evidence points to a broad memory-price and demand cycle rather than a simple story of Samsung selling vastly more DRAM bits.
- Conventional DRAM prices rose sharply. TrendForce reported a 45%–50% quarter-over-quarter increase in conventional DRAM contract prices during Q4 2025.
- Server demand remained strong. AI infrastructure requires HBM, but conventional server DRAM—including DDR5 and high-capacity memory modules—also benefits from data-center expansion.
- Product mix improved. Server DDR5, high-density RDIMMs, HBM and other higher-value products generate more revenue per bit than some lower-value memory categories.
- Supply remained constrained. Tight industry supply increased suppliers’ pricing power.
TrendForce said Samsung’s average selling prices rose by about 40%, while its bit shipments increased only in the low single digits. That gap is crucial: Samsung’s revenue recovery appears to have been driven substantially by pricing and mix, not just volume.
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HBM helped, but did not decide the whole story
HBM is a specialized form of DRAM used mainly with AI accelerators and high-performance computing systems. It is only one part of the wider DRAM market, which also includes server, mobile, PC and graphics memory.
Samsung said its Memory Business benefited in Q4 from strong conventional DRAM demand, expanded HBM sales, higher prices, server DDR5 and enterprise SSD demand. Its official Q4 2025 results reported record quarterly revenue and operating profit for the Memory Business.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThat explanation supports a balanced interpretation: HBM contributed to Samsung’s recovery, but the broad conventional-DRAM price rally was also a major driver. Total DRAM revenue leadership does not establish that Samsung had overtaken SK hynix in HBM technology, qualification or market share.
SK hynix did not collapse
Samsung’s return to first place ended SK hynix’s lead, which began after Samsung lost the top position in Q1 2025. But SK hynix remained a powerful competitor.
Omdia-attributed figures put SK hynix at approximately $17.2 billion in Q4 DRAM revenue and a 32.9% share. TrendForce estimated $17.22 billion and a 32.1% share. Both accounts indicate sequential revenue growth of about 25.2%.
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In other words, SK hynix continued to benefit from AI-server demand. Samsung simply grew faster during the quarter, helped by pricing, conventional server DRAM and its broader exposure across the DRAM market.
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Samsung’s official financial results provide context
Samsung Electronics reported the following consolidated and divisional figures for Q4 2025:
- Consolidated revenue: KRW 93.8 trillion
- Consolidated operating profit: KRW 20.1 trillion
- DS Division revenue: KRW 44.0 trillion
- DS Division operating profit: KRW 16.4 trillion
These are Samsung’s reported corporate and divisional results—not a standalone DRAM-revenue figure. The approximately $19.1 billion to $19.3 billion DRAM numbers come from market-research estimates. Samsung’s standard earnings release does not provide a directly comparable quarterly DRAM-revenue line.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the result means for investors and buyers
For investors, the ranking confirms that Samsung captured more value from the Q4 memory upcycle than SK hynix on the reported measures. It does not, by itself, prove superior margins, technology, yields or long-term market share.
For server and infrastructure buyers, the figures signal continued pricing pressure. DRAM revenue growth of nearly 30% for the overall market in one quarter, alongside TrendForce’s reported 45%–50% rise in conventional DRAM contract prices, indicates that memory availability and procurement costs were major issues entering 2026.
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For personal-finance readers evaluating semiconductor stocks, the key risk is confusing a favorable price cycle with a permanent competitive advantage. Memory markets are cyclical: prices can lift revenue quickly, while later supply expansion can reverse the effect.
The 2026 test: can Samsung keep the lead?
Samsung said it expected continued AI-related memory demand, stronger HBM4 activity and further growth in high-capacity server DRAM. It also said it was preparing HBM4 products, including products targeting 11.7 Gbps performance, for delivery during Q1 2026.
TrendForce’s February 2026 forecast called for conventional DRAM prices to rise another 90%–95% quarter over quarter in Q1 2026, with blended conventional DRAM and HBM prices rising 80%–85%. Those are forecasts, not confirmed results, and they illustrate both the opportunity and the risk: if prices continue rising, Samsung’s revenue lead may persist; if prices normalize, product execution and share gains will matter more.
The most important indicators to watch are:
- Whether Samsung’s HBM4 products achieve customer qualification and meaningful volume.
- Whether Samsung maintains strong yields and supply in advanced server-memory products.
- Whether conventional DRAM prices remain elevated after new capacity enters the market.
- Whether AI infrastructure spending continues to support both HBM and general-purpose server DRAM.
- Whether Samsung’s revenue lead translates into durable share and profitability rather than a one-quarter price advantage.
Bottom line
Samsung did regain the global DRAM revenue crown in Q4 2025, and Omdia’s conclusion is broadly corroborated by TrendForce. But the result is best understood as a combination of stronger revenue growth, higher memory prices, server demand, product mix and HBM expansion—not as proof that Samsung has definitively won the HBM race or secured permanent leadership.
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