Samsung Forecasts Sharp Q3 Profit Rise on AI Memory Demand

Samsung Electronics expects third-quarter 2026 operating profit of 107.4 trillion won, or about $80.17 billion, nearly nine times the prior-year figure. Revenue is projected to rise 127 percent to 195 trillion won. The company points to AI infrastructure spending for strong memory demand, though its smartphone and consumer electronics units face higher component costs.

Samsung's preliminary guidance puts July–September 2026 operating profit at 107.4 trillion won, about $80.17 billion, with revenue expected at 195 trillion won. That would mark a fourth straight quarter of record operating profit. Outlays for AI infrastructure are boosting memory demand, while smartphone and consumer electronics units confront rising component costs.

Memory gains span HBM, conventional DRAM and NAND flash, which serve AI accelerators, system memory and persistent storage. One analyst estimated Samsung's HBM bit shipments rose nearly 50% quarter over quarter. TrendForce expects conventional DRAM contract prices to climb 10–15% in Q4 after roughly 60% in Q2. Samsung and Micron see the supply-demand imbalance lasting into 2028.