Samsung Poised to Regain Top DRAM Spot Amid Earnings Surge

Key Takeaways

1. Samsung’s operating profits reached over 18 trillion won (about US$12.2 billion) in Q4 2025, primarily from its Device Solutions division.
2. The Device Solutions segment generated more than 15 trillion won, marking a 422% increase compared to the previous year.
3. Samsung is expected to regain the top position in DRAM revenue rankings, previously held by SK hynix since Q1 2025.
4. Rising DRAM prices, driven by increased demand from AI infrastructure and data centers, are contributing to Samsung’s profit surge.
5. The average price for an 8 GB DDR4 module exceeded $8 in November, a 15.7% increase from October, with projections for further significant rises.

According to sources in the industry that were reached by Yonhap News Agency, Samsung has made over 18 trillion won (about US$12.2 billion) in operating profits during the fourth quarter of 2025. Most of this revenue will come from the company’s Device Solutions (DS) division, which handles memory and foundry operations. It is estimated that this segment has produced more than 15 trillion won, marking a staggering increase of 422 percent compared to the previous year.

A Shift in the Market

This significant profit is likely to elevate Samsung back to the leading position in the DRAM revenue rankings, a spot that SK hynix took in the first quarter of 2025 after holding the top spot for 33 years. SK hynix capitalized on the AI surge to boost its high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chip business significantly.

Reports from Yonhap indicate that Samsung’s resurgence in the market is largely due to the rising prices of DRAM. The rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, including data centers, is driving memory costs to unprecedented levels. Meanwhile, Samsung is also striving to enhance its HBM technology to match the capabilities of SK hynix’s products.

Pricing Trends

The average price for an 8 GB DDR4 module surpassed the $8 threshold in November, reflecting a 15.7 percent increase from the month before. This rise is even more pronounced compared to the $1.35 levels recorded in March, and it is projected to escalate by as much as 50 percent from Q3 to Q4.

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