Samsung Electronics has reported record-breaking quarterly financial results, with artificial intelligence (AI) memory chips and server storage emerging as the major drivers of its business growth. The South Korean technology company achieved its highest-ever quarterly earnings in the third quarter of 2026, highlighting the growing financial importance of the global AI infrastructure market.
Samsung recorded revenue of KRW 195.3 trillion, equivalent to approximately $146 billion, during the quarter. Its operating profit reached KRW 107.4 trillion, or around $80.5 billion.
Compared with the previous quarter, revenue increased by 14 percent, while operating profit climbed approximately 20 percent. The results represent a significant milestone for Samsung as demand for advanced semiconductor products continues to expand.
According to the company, Samsung became the first technology company to report more than KRW 100 trillion in operating profit in a single quarter.
Interestingly, the record earnings were driven primarily by semiconductor products rather than the company’s popular smartphones and consumer electronics.
AI Memory Chips Become Samsung’s Biggest Growth Driver
Samsung’s Device Solutions (DS) division, which handles semiconductor manufacturing and memory chip production, generated the largest share of the company’s reported earnings.
The division recorded KRW 147.1 trillion in revenue and KRW 106.5 trillion in operating profit, setting new quarterly records.
Samsung attributed the strong performance to increasing demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM4), a specialised type of memory used in advanced artificial intelligence systems.
HBM technology plays an important role in AI infrastructure because it allows processors to access large amounts of data at high speeds. It is particularly important for systems powered by advanced graphics processing units and other specialised AI hardware.
As technology companies invest heavily in artificial intelligence, demand for these advanced memory products has increased significantly.
Samsung also benefited from strong sales of solid-state drives (SSDs) designed for servers. These storage products are used in data centres that support AI applications, cloud computing and large-scale digital services.
The growing need for computing power and data storage has created additional opportunities for semiconductor manufacturers.
Rising Memory Demand Supports Higher Prices
Another factor contributing to Samsung’s record performance is the increase in memory prices across different product categories.
As technology companies expand their AI infrastructure, they require larger quantities of advanced memory chips and server storage equipment. This demand has strengthened the market for semiconductor manufacturers.
Samsung significantly increased its HBM4 sales during the quarter, benefiting from continued investment in AI systems by major technology companies.
The company expects the positive trend to continue into the fourth quarter of 2026. New central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) platforms are expected to create additional demand for advanced memory products.
These developments could further support Samsung’s semiconductor business as the global technology industry continues shifting towards AI-powered computing.
Samsung Expects AI Memory Demand to Grow in 2027
Looking ahead, Samsung expects demand for AI-related memory products to grow faster than industry supply in 2027.
Such a situation could maintain pressure on memory availability and influence prices across the semiconductor market.
The company’s outlook reflects the growing importance of memory technology in the development of artificial intelligence. Advanced AI systems require powerful processors, high-speed memory and substantial storage capacity to handle increasingly complex workloads.
Samsung’s latest financial performance demonstrates how the AI boom is creating new opportunities for established semiconductor manufacturers.
While smartphones remain an important part of its overall business, the company’s latest earnings highlight how AI memory chips and data centre storage are becoming central to its financial growth.
