Samsung Electronics expects its quarterly operating profit to surge nine-fold compared to a year ago. The company estimates 107.4 trillion won ($80 billion) in operating profit for the three months ending September 2026. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of record earnings for the tech giant.
Surging demand for memory chips used in AI data centers drives the growth. Samsung ranks among the world’s largest memory chip makers alongside South Korean rival SK Hynix and America’s Micron. All three produce chips that power AI systems built by companies like NVIDIA.
The numbers reflect a broader boom in Samsung’s semiconductor business. According to Korea Herald, brokerage estimates project revenue of around 201.7 trillion won for Q3. That represents roughly 134% growth year-over-year. Samsung’s Device Solutions unit could post operating margins between 72% and 75%, with DRAM margins possibly exceeding 80%.
High-bandwidth memory (HBM) sales have risen sharply as well. Samsung’s HBM market share jumped from 21% in Q1 to 33% in Q2, according to Counterpoint Research. Its HBM4 chips will also supply NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin AI accelerator in the second half of 2026.
Beyond chips, Samsung’s latest Galaxy Fold and S26 smartphones launched in August should provide an additional boost. However, the company’s foundry and System LSI divisions remain loss-making. Samsung’s foundry head has targeted 2028 for a return to profitability in that segment.
The AI chip boom has transformed Samsung’s market standing. Earlier this year, the company’s stock market valuation crossed $1 trillion for the first time. This made Samsung the first Korean company to reach that milestone.
Investment across the industry continues to accelerate. US tech giants including Google, Amazon, and Meta have pledged over $650 billion for AI projects this year. In June, South Korea unveiled at least $880 billion in chip manufacturing plans led by Samsung and SK Hynix. Rival firms in Japan, China, and Taiwan are similarly expanding their chip plants.
Samsung will publish its full Q3 earnings at the end of October.
