Samsung Forecasts Record $80 Billion Profit on AI Boom
The projected result would make Samsung the first technology company to report quarterly operating profit above 100 trillion won. Moreover, it would mark the company’s fourth consecutive quarter of record operating earnings.
Samsung’s forecast also exceeded the LSEG SmartEstimate of 106.1 trillion won. Meanwhile, the company expects third-quarter revenue to rise 127% year over year to approximately 195 trillion won.
AI Infrastructure Drives Memory Chip Earnings
The surge reflects rising demand for memory chips used in AI data centres. As technology companies expand their AI infrastructure, they need more DRAM, NAND, and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to handle increasingly demanding workloads.
In particular, HBM plays a central role in accelerating AI computing. Samsung has been expanding shipments of its latest HBM products as it seeks to narrow the gap with SK Hynix, the market leader.
Meanwhile, tight supply has pushed memory prices higher. AI infrastructure spending continues to outpace production growth, and major chipmakers expect supply constraints to persist into 2028. However, slower price increases could affect future earnings growth.
Samsung’s other businesses face a different outlook. Higher component prices are increasing the cost of smartphones and consumer electronics. Consequently, the company’s mobile division faces pressure even as its memory business benefits from the AI boom. Analysts also expect its contract chipmaking division to remain loss-making for now.
Profit Outlook Faces Currency and Market Risks
Despite the record forecast, Samsung faces several challenges. A stronger South Korean won reduces the value of overseas earnings when the company converts dollar revenues into local currency. In addition, rising competition from Chinese chipmakers could put downward pressure on prices over time.
Investors are also watching whether AI infrastructure spending can sustain current levels. Although demand remains strong, slower increases in memory prices have raised questions about the durability of record profit margins. Samsung shares have also retreated from their June peak amid these concerns.
Samsung will publish its full third-quarter results on October 29, 2026. The report should provide a clearer breakdown of performance across its semiconductor, mobile, and consumer electronics businesses.
For now, Samsung’s forecast highlights how strongly AI infrastructure investment is reshaping the semiconductor industry. However, the company’s longer-term performance will depend on memory demand, supply growth, pricing trends, and its ability to compete in the advanced AI chip market.
