Samsung Electronics set an all-time record in its Q1 2026 preliminary results by posting $90.8 billion (KRW 133 trillion) in revenue and $38.9 billion (KRW 57.2 trillion) in operating profit. This performance surpasses the recent quarterly operating profits of most global companies. 

According to Counterpoint Research’s Memory Tracker, Samsung ranked first in the memory market in Q1 2026 with $50.4 billion in revenue. The company achieved historic highs in both DRAM and NAND segments, recording $37 billion and $13.4 billion in revenues, respectively. This represents a 2.7x increase compared to the previous cycle’s peak of $18.9 billion in Q3 2018. 

Counterpoint’s Memory Price Tracker indicates that robust demand relative to supply will drive further price hikes in Q2, with increases exceeding 80% for mobile and 50% for PC segments. Consequently, Samsung’s earnings are projected to climb even higher in the second quarter, with the overall performance in 2026 expected to reach unprecedented levels.  

Operating Income: Samsung’s Q1 2026 vs Other Global Majors’ Q4 2025 

Source: Counterpoint Research Memory Tracker 

Senior Analyst Jeongku Choi noted, “Samsung’s strong performance is expected to continue. Robust demand across all sectors is driving high profitability in conventional DRAM, a trend likely to persist until 2027 when significant supply expansions are projected to materialize. In the HBM4 segment, Samsung has solidified its leadership by adopting 1c-nm process-based core dies and 4nm foundry-based base dies, putting the company in an advantageous position in the developing HBM4e market.” 

However, translating this short-term earnings surge into long-term growth requires strengthening internal cohesion and pivoting toward a customer-centric product strategy. 

Choi added, “The memory industry’s paradigm is shifting from mass production of commodity products to a customer-integrated business model. Custom HBM will become the mainstream starting with the next generation, and even in conventional DRAM, major clients are increasingly seeking to secure optimized volumes stably through long-term agreements (LTAs). Samsung must not become complacent with its current success; instead, it must focus all efforts on preventing the loss of key talent and investing in next-generation technologies to maintain its ‘Super Gap’ leadership. Now is the pivotal moment for Samsung to take its next leap forward.” 

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. 

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