Samsung Q3 profit jumps nearly nine-fold as AI memory boom lifts chip earnings

Samsung Electronics reported a nearly nine-fold increase in third-quarter operating profit, reaching $80.17 billion, as soaring demand for artificial intelligence chips boosted memory earnings. The company expects third-quarter revenue to rise 127% to 195 trillion won from a year earlier, with memory chips driving the majority of the earnings improvement.

Analysts predict that supply will continue to lag demand, potentially widening the gap even further in 2027 as AI-related demand consumes more global memory capacity. Samsung's HBM bit shipments are projected to surge by nearly 50% quarter-over-quarter, driven by strong demand for HBM4 memory chips. However, the memory chip boom may pose challenges for Samsung's other divisions, particularly smartphones and consumer electronics, as higher component costs erode margins.