SK Hynix Dethrones Samsung as World's Top DRAM Vendor
Summary
In a historic shift, SK Hynix has dethroned Samsung as the world's top DRAM vendor, capturing 36% of global sales in Q1 2023, fueled by strong demand for its high-bandwidth AI chips from Nvidia, ending Samsung's 30-year reign.
Key Points
- SK Hynix seized 36% of global DRAM sales in the March quarter, surpassing Samsung's 34% share and becoming the world's top DRAM vendor for the first time
- SK Hynix's lead is attributed to strong demand for its high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI applications, particularly from Nvidia
- Samsung, which held the DRAM crown for over 30 years, saw its operating profit fall below SK Hynix's in the December quarter, signaling a shift in the DRAM market dynamics