Memory makers are riding a powerful wave right now, and few are positioned to benefit as much as Samsung and SK hynix. A global DRAM shortage has tightened supply, pushed prices upward, and set the stage for record-breaking results. Forecasts suggest Samsung’s operating profit could climb to an eye-catching $73 billion by 2026 as demand for memory stays strong and pricing remains favorable.
But while Samsung’s memory business is thriving, the bigger challenge is improving profitability across its foundry division, where competition is far tougher. Samsung has taken meaningful steps, including unveiling what it describes as the world’s first 2nm gate-all-around (GAA) chipset, the Exynos 2600. Even so, industry observers argue that these moves alone won’t be enough to close the gap with the current foundry leader, TSMC, without a stronger overall strategy and execution.
Industry estimates cited by United Daily News, referencing data shared with the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), indicate that memory revenue is projected to grow 27.8 percent in 2025, making memory the second-largest segment in the semiconductor industry. According to commentary from DigiTimes Deputy Director Tsai Cho-shao, Samsung stands to gain substantially from rising DRAM prices. However, the key point is that these gains are being powered more by market conditions than by Samsung’s competitive edge.
Tsai also highlighted three areas where Samsung is said to be falling behind: high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production compared with SK hynix, its wafer foundry business, and its mobile products division. Samsung has the financial resources to make improvements, but deciding where to place the biggest bets—and how quickly it can turn those investments into results—remains a difficult call.
Samsung has previously been linked to a goal of reaching foundry profitability around 2027, and the company appears to be moving gradually in that direction with its 2nm GAA manufacturing efforts. Reports around the Exynos 2600 have suggested initial production yields near 50 percent, with an ambition to raise them to around 70 percent. Yield progress is critical because better yields generally mean lower costs per chip, stronger margins, and the ability to scale production more reliably for major customers.
On the business development side, Samsung is reportedly adding momentum through major deals and new orders. Along with a high-profile multi-billion-dollar agreement with Tesla, Samsung has also started fulfilling orders for two Chinese cryptocurrency equipment manufacturers, potentially helping keep foundry lines busy and revenue flowing while it works on improving process competitiveness.
At the same time, being one of the world’s few major memory suppliers comes with complications. Amid the DRAM shortage, Samsung is also dealing with allegations tied to internal corruption, investigating claims that employees accepted bribes to divert memory supplies. The situation underscores how tight supply can amplify pressures across the supply chain—and how costly any internal misconduct can be during periods of extreme demand.
Looking ahead, Samsung’s booming DRAM earnings may continue to paint an impressive headline picture, but the foundry business is the real test of whether the company can strengthen its long-term position in advanced chip manufacturing. The next few months should offer clearer signals on yield improvements, customer wins, and whether Samsung’s foundry roadmap is moving fast enough to eventually be mentioned in the same breath as TSMC.
