Wedoany.com Report-Jun 4, SK hynix has surpassed Samsung Electronics to become the leading player in the global DRAM market for the first quarter of 2025, driven by its strength in high bandwidth memory (HBM) products, according to market research firm TrendForce. Global DRAM sales reached $27.01 billion during the quarter, a 5.5% decrease from the prior quarter, attributed to lower contract prices and reduced HBM shipments.

Samsung Electronics headquarters in Suwon, Gyeonggi

SK hynix reported $9.72 billion in sales, down 7.1% from the previous quarter due to decreased overall shipments. However, its focus on high-value HBM3E products enabled it to capture a 36% market share, slightly down from 36.6% in the previous quarter, securing the top position for the first time. Samsung Electronics, with $9.1 billion in sales and a 33.7% market share, saw a more significant decline of 19.1% and dropped to second place. Last year, Samsung held a 43.9% share compared to SK hynix’s 31.1%, highlighting the shift in market dynamics.

Counterpoint Research corroborated these findings, estimating SK hynix’s market share at 36% and Samsung’s at 34% for the same period. Micron, based in the United States, ranked third with $6.58 billion in sales and a 24.3% market share.

SK hynix’s CEO, Kwang-woo Park, stated: “Our leadership in HBM products and strategic focus on high-value offerings have positioned us at the forefront of the DRAM market. We are committed to advancing technology to meet global demand.”

TrendForce noted that Samsung’s sales decline was partly due to challenges in supplying HBM to certain markets and reduced HBM3E shipments following a product redesign. Meanwhile, SK hynix’s advancements in HBM3E production strengthened its competitive edge. Looking ahead, TrendForce anticipates increased production from PC and smartphone manufacturers in the second quarter, following inventory adjustments during a 90-day mutual tariff suspension period between the United States and China, which could boost DRAM shipments.

This milestone underscores SK hynix’s growing influence in the global semiconductor industry, driven by innovation in high-performance memory solutions and strategic market positioning.

SK Hynix Leapfrogs Samsung in Global Dram Market With $9.72b in Q1 Sales