[News] China’s DRAM Leader CXMT Reportedly Plans NAND R&D Line, Could Challenge Samsung, SK hynix and YMTC

China’s memory chip makers may be looking beyond their traditional strongholds. According to Reuters, sources say CXMT is preparing to enter the fast-growing NAND flash market, putting the DRAM maker in competition with both global leaders such as Samsung Electronics and domestic rival YMTC. Notably, CXMT is said to have already discussed its NAND plans with potential customers. The report notes that these include a newly established startup that intends to purchase CXMT’s NAND chips for storage products used in AI systems and supercomputers.

CXMT reportedly plans to establish an R&D production line for NAND flash memory at its new plant in Beijing. The company has also set up a research institute in the Chinese capital, with NAND development among its projects. However, it remains unclear when the R&D line will begin operating or whether CXMT plans to move beyond research and trial production into large-scale commercial manufacturing, the report adds.

CXMT would be entering a NAND market largely dominated by established global players. According to TrendForce, Samsung led the market in 2Q26 with a 29.3% share, followed by SK hynix at 18.2% and Micron at 15.1%. By comparison, TrendForce notes that CXMT has been gaining ground on global leaders in its core DRAM market, ranking fourth in 2Q26 with a 9.5% share, behind Samsung at 39.4%, SK hynix at 24.9%, and Micron at 23.3%.

As Chosun Ilbo notes, industry observers believe that while chips from China’s CXMT and YMTC still lag those of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix in performance, the two companies could gain global market share by competing aggressively on price as memory supplies remain tight. This has raised concerns that growing competition from Chinese memory makers could put pressure on the profitability of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

Tight memory supplies have also strengthened both companies’ pricing power with some Chinese customers. The Reuters report notes that CXMT and YMTC still trail larger international rivals and are more exposed to lower-priced products, but supply constraints have given them greater leverage in the domestic market.

China’s Memory Rivals Push Into Each Other’s Turf

CXMT and YMTC, often referred to in China as the “twin stars” of the country’s memory-chip industry, have largely operated in separate segments. But the boundary between their businesses is starting to fade. Reuters reported in April that YMTC had sent low-power DRAM (LPDDR) samples to customers as it considered entering CXMT’s core market. The company expects customer feedback by the end of 2026, which will help inform its DRAM production decisions.

Both companies are also moving ahead with major investment and fundraising plans. CXMT, which raised RMB 57.92 billion (US$8.6 billion) in July in Asia’s largest IPO this year, is planning a second memory-chip plant in Beijing and has been in funding talks with a local government-backed technology manufacturing hub, as noted by Reuters.

Meanwhile, according to ifeng.com, YMTC parent Changcun Holdings had its STAR Market IPO application accepted by the Shanghai Stock Exchange on August 21. The company aims to raise RMB 33 billion, which would set a record for a single STAR Market IPO application, surpassing CXMT’s RMB 29.5 billion target.

Read more

• [News] CXMT Starts LPDDR6 Mass Production at 12,800Mbps; Open to Global Customers as Apple Ties Draw Attention
• Combined Revenue of Top Five NAND Flash Brands Rises 77% QoQ in 2Q26; Micron Moves Up to Third Place, Says TrendForce

(Photo credit: CXMT)