Rising DRAM and NAND prices boost Samsung and SK hynix profits, reshaping smartphones and laptops. Expect tight supply, higher BOM share, and shipment risks.
© A. Krivonosov
South Korean analysts say Samsung could emerge as one of the biggest winners from the ongoing run-up in memory prices. With DRAM and NAND costs climbing sharply, consumers and the electronics sector are paying more for core components, while the largest memory suppliers are posting record financial results.
ChosunBiz reports that research firms have revised Samsung’s profit outlook upward. New estimates suggest the company’s operating profit could reach about $73 billion next year—107.6 trillion won—significantly above earlier forecasts that ranged from 90 to 100 trillion won. The swing underscores how swiftly this cycle has turned in favor of chipmakers.
Strong numbers are expected for SK hynix as well. Fresh projections put its operating profit at roughly 93.8 trillion won, or about $63.8 billion. Together, the two Korean giants look set to be the chief beneficiaries of a market where memory prices are exerting intense pressure across the board.
Counterpoint Research warns that the climb in memory prices could ripple widely through consumer electronics. Memory’s share of a smartphone’s bill of materials could rise to 25%, and by 2026 that squeeze may trim global device shipments by 2.6%. The message is clear: the cost burden isn’t staying upstream.
Facing persistent tight supply, device makers are already weighing ways to adapt. Some may bring back budget phones with 4 GB of RAM, and in higher-end models, support for microSD cards could return to expand storage. In laptops, more brands are assessing whether 8 GB of RAM should be the baseline. It’s not the most consumer-friendly outcome, but as a stopgap it’s a pragmatic way to keep prices in check while the market recalibrates.