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East Asia Brief

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Why It MattersSemiconductorsKorea

Samsung Overtakes SK hynix in Q3 HBM Revenue on Export Surge

AllianceBernstein estimates Samsung posted $8.7 billion in quarterly AI memory sales against $7.6 billion for SK hynix, ending its rival's uninterrupted lead as advanced packaging lines expand.

JH By , Korea bureau chief · ·Updated October 22, 2026 ·3 min read
An automated robotic arm stacks memory chips on a cleanroom assembly line as technicians in protective suits work in the background. (AI-generated image)
An automated robotic arm stacks memory chips on a cleanroom assembly line as technicians in protective suits work in the background. (AI-generated image)

Samsung Electronics overtook SK hynix in quarterly high-bandwidth memory revenue for the first time in the current AI cycle, according to an AllianceBernstein analysis published on Oct. 22, 2026.

The investment bank estimated Samsung recorded $8.7 billion in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) revenue for the third quarter, a 33% increase from the prior three months. That figure exceeded the $7.6 billion generated by SK hynix over the same period.

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JH

Ji-woo Han

Korea bureau chief — Ji-woo Han leads Korea coverage, working from exchange disclosures, ministry notices and company IR material. She writes most often on memory and advanced packaging.

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