Samsung forecasts record quarterly profits amid rising AI chip demand

Samsung expects 19.9–20.1 trillion won next quarter and attributes much of the gain to stronger memory chip demand; DRAM contract prices rose sharply in late 2025 and further increases are expected.

Samsung says it expects operating profit of 19.9–20.1 trillion won next quarter, a level the company reports is more than three times the profit in the same period a year earlier. The firm attributes much of the projected gain to rising demand for memory chips used in AI servers, while higher DRAM contract prices have been reported. Major memory makers are planning additional fabrication capacity to address that demand. The article also reports that elevated memory costs could affect consumer smartphone and PC markets. Key details: - Samsung forecasts 19.9–20.1 trillion won in operating profit for the next quarter, and its prior highest quarterly result was 17.6 trillion won in 2018. - The projection is reported as more than three times the profit in the same quarter a year earlier and is said to beat analyst expectations of 18 million won. - DRAM contract prices were reported up 313% year‑over‑year in the final three months of 2025 per TrendForce, with a further 55–60% price rise expected this quarter. - Around 17 trillion won of the expected operating profit is attributed to chip sales, and analysts cited in the article say this may be the start of a broader upcycle amid supply constraints. - The article mentions shares in the company rose 147% over the past 12 months but fell on the day of the announcement; Samsung had about an 18.8% share of the global smartphone market as of Q3 2025. Summary: Samsung's forecast points to a substantial near-term profit boost driven mainly by memory chip demand and rising DRAM prices, with roughly 17 trillion won of operating profit expected from chip sales. The article notes that Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron are planning new fabrication capacity to meet AI-related demand, while analysts say supply constraints remain a factor. Wider market outcomes and the longer-term effects on consumer smartphone and PC markets are undetermined at this time.