SK Hynix Inc. is on track to dethrone Samsung Electronics Co. as the world’s leading DRAM vendor, a position Samsung has held for over three decades. According to data from Counterpoint Research, SK Hynix captured 36% of the DRAM market in the first quarter of 2025, while Samsung held 34%. This shift is largely attributed to the growing demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) driven by the AI boom, with SK Hynix being a key supplier to Nvidia Corp.
The news comes after Samsung’s operating profit fell below SK Hynix’s for the first time in the December quarter, signaling a significant change in the competitive landscape of the DRAM market. As a major supplier of HBM to Nvidia, SK Hynix has benefited greatly from the increasing demand for AI-related memory chips.
SK Hynix’s upcoming earnings results are expected to reflect its new status as the top DRAM vendor. The company’s success in the HBM market has been a key driver of its growth, and its partnership with Nvidia has positioned it well to capitalize on the ongoing AI boom.
The DRAM market has long been dominated by Samsung and SK Hynix, with the two companies engaging in a decades-long rivalry. While Samsung has traditionally held the top spot, SK Hynix’s recent gains in the HBM market have allowed it to close the gap and ultimately take the lead.
