Samsung claimed the top spot in the DRAM market in Q2 2026 with its share widening to 39% – levels last seen in 2024, according to Counterpoint Research’s Global Memory Tracker, Q2 2026. This is a remarkable turnaround for Samsung as it had ceded leadership to SK hynix in the year-ago period. Conversely, SK hynix’s market share tumbled to 26% in Q2 2026 from 39% in Q2 2025, despite a 214% YoY surge in quarterly revenue. Micron, one of the Big Three memory suppliers, also delivered strong quarterly results, almost challenging SK hynix for the second spot with a 25% share. Micron has been performing strongly since the AI boom started in the second half of 2023.

Demand for DRAM continues to outstrip supply as successive waves of AI adoption drive the rollout of advanced computing infrastructure. This is boosting demand for conventional DRAM used in CPUs, while also accelerating the uptake of next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) in GPUs.

Global DRAM Revenue Market Share, Q2 2026

Commenting on Samsung’s performance, Senior Analyst Jeongku Choi said, "Samsung overcame all its hurdles and delivered an exemplary turnaround in performance from the year-ago period. The company has benefited from robust demand and price hikes in conventional DRAM and is also expanding its share in the HBM segment. Looking ahead, with additional price hikes expected in Q3 2026, Samsung will likely see further growth in earnings."

In Q2 2026, prices for conventional DRAM surged QoQ, while HBM prices fell on a YoY basis. The decline in the average price of HBM was particularly pronounced due to price drops in the existing HBM3E products, alongside delays in the launch of HBM4. However, the relatively lower HBM prices are expected to rise sharply next year, following the increased prices of conventional DRAM.

Research Director MS Hwang noted, "Although SK hynix registered record earnings sequentially and annually, it grew slower than the competition as its market share declined with Samsung and Micron squeezing from both ends.”

Hwang further highlighted, “This needs to be viewed from two perspectives. First, SK hynix has the highest shipments and revenue coming from HBM vs the competition, so the company took a substantial hit from the drop in average HBM prices. Second, SK hynix was earlier to sign long-term agreements (LTAs) than competitors. Long-term agreements set price ceilings and floors based on a fixed contract price, meaning fixed prices negotiated early during a period of rising memory prices would be lower than current levels.”

However, HBM4 shipments have started increasing in Q3 2026, as the latest NVIDIA Vera Rubin and AMD’s Instinct MI455X GPU-based racks have commenced shipping. Consequently, the decline in HBM prices will narrow as the mix shifts.

Amid the booming DRAM market, competition is further intensifying. Highlighting the competition, Vice President of Research Neil Shah said, “According to our estimates, Micron’s DRAM revenue has increased fivefold since Q2 2025, positioning the company to surpass SK hynix and likely claim the second spot soon. Micron has normally been quite conservative and modest about this, but we believe the competition is strong and it will all boil down to who has enough capacity to not leave money on the table for others to grab and how the LTA shapes up.”

Other notable performers in Q2 2026 were CXMT (up 716% YoY) and Nanya (up 690% YoY). CXMT was the fastest growing DRAM supplier globally, driven by strong domestic demand for conventional DRAM and expanding capacity. Nanya, on the other hand, benefitted from ramped up supply and demand for its DDR/LPDDR4/5 memory.

Shah added, “An important thing to watch out for in H2 2026 would be how CXMT leverages its recent IPO to boost its prospects in terms of capacity expansion for HBM and LPDDR6. If CXMT can expand its capacity and capability to meet domestic and overseas demand, starting with PCs and potential Tier-1 international customers, the supplier’s market share will balloon and look a lot different a year from now. The question is not about ‘how’ but ‘when’ CXMT will be able to break into the Big Three Memory Club.”

For deeper visibility into these shifts, Counterpoint Research’s Memory research offers ongoing coverage of DRAM, NAND Flash and HBM market dynamics, including demand-supply trends, pricing, bit and revenue tracking, and the impact of AI adoption across key applications from data center to devices. Explore our Memory coverage for timely data, forecasts and analyst insights into one of the most critical components of the AI-era semiconductor value chain.

About Counterpoint Research

Counterpoint Research is a global market research firm specializing in products across the technology ecosystem. We advise a diverse range of clients – from smartphone OEMs to chipmakers and channel players to Big Tech – through our offices located in the world's major innovation hubs, manufacturing clusters and commercial centers. Our analyst team, led by seasoned experts, engages with stakeholders across the enterprise – from the C-suite to professionals in strategy, analyst relations (AR), market intelligence (MI), business intelligence (BI), product and marketing – to deliver services spanning market data, industry thought leadership and consulting. Our core areas of coverage include AI, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Displays, eSIM, IoT, Location Platforms, Macroeconomics, Manufacturing, Networks and Infrastructure, Semiconductors, Smartphones and Wearables. Visit our Insights page to explore our publicly available market data, insights and thought leadership, and to understand our focus, meet our analysts and start a conversation.

Follow Counterpoint Research

Twitter
LinkedIn