[Edaily Reporter SOYEON KIM ] SamsungElectronics has become the first in the world to successfully begin mass production of HBM4, the sixth-generation High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), and is accelerating its expansion of market share in the global HBM market. With forecasts suggesting that SamsungElectronics’ market share will approach 40% in the fourth quarter of this year, observers are speculating that the dynamics of the HBM market—which had been dominated by SK hynix—may shift.

According to industry sources on the 27th, U.S. investment bank Bernstein recently estimated SamsungElectronics’ third-quarter High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) revenue at $8.7 billion (approximately 11.5 trillion won). This represents a 33% increase from the previous quarter. During the same period, SK hynix’s HBM revenue is expected to reach $7.6 billion (approximately 10 trillion won), an 11% increase from the previous quarter. Based on Bernstein’s estimates, it is possible that SamsungElectronics could surpass SK hynix in HBM revenue for the first time. These figures are estimates derived by Bernstein using regional HBM export statistics.

SamsungElectronics is expected to further strengthen its position in the global HBM market as it expands HBM4 supply in the second half of this year. HBM4 has been integrated into NVIDIA’s next-generation AI accelerator, “Vera Rubin,” starting in the third quarter, and this has begun to be reflected in the HBM sales figures of both SamsungElectronics and SK hynix.

In particular, SamsungElectronics was the first in the world to successfully mass-produce HBM4, passed NVIDIA’s qualification testing, and has been supplying HBM4 ever since. HBM4 is projected to become the market mainstream starting in the second half of this year and continuing through next year. The expansion of HBM4 shipments is expected to boost SamsungElectronics’ HBM market share. HBM4 revenue is set to take off in earnest in the fourth quarter of this year.

According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, SK hynix maintained its top position with a 50% market share based on global HBM revenue in the second quarter of this year, followed by SamsungElectronics with 33% and Micron with 18%. Although SK hynix held a 64% market share in the second quarter of last year, it has been gradually ceding market share to SamsungElectronics.

Analysts in the securities industry predict that SamsungElectronics’ HBM market share will expand to 40% starting in the fourth quarter of this year. Kim Dong-won, head of the Research Center at KB Securities, said, “SamsungElectronics, which recorded a 33% HBM market share in the second quarter of this year, is expected to approach 40% in the fourth quarter,” adding, “We estimate that supply contracts for the entire annual HBM production volume next year—centered on HBM4—have already been finalized.”

As SK hynix is also accelerating the expansion of its HBM4 supply, competition between the two companies is expected to intensify further. The industry views NVIDIA’s production schedule for its next-generation AI accelerators and the pace of HBM4 supply expansion as key variables that will determine the future market landscape. An industry official said, “As the generational shift centered on HBM4 gains momentum, securing supply for our major client, NVIDIA, will be crucial in the battle for market share.”