[News] Samsung Reportedly Controls DRAM Output in 2H25 amid Market Uncertainties

While soaring HBM orders helped SK hynix grab the DRAM crown in Q1, Samsung—facing profit pressure and looming risks like tariffs—is expected to shift focus to profitability over volume in H2 2025 by adjusting output, according to the Chosun Daily.

Though some speculate Samsung may ramp up to regain its DRAM lead, there’s little sign of major shifts on key production lines, the report notes. The company seems to focus on controlling wafer input at its key DRAM lines (Line 15 and 16) in Hwaseong starting in H2 instead, as suggested by the Chosun Daily.

In sharp contrast, SK hynix is understood to be ramping up output to meet soaring HBM demand. As the Chosun Daily reported in late May, SK hynix is close to sealing a deal to supply HBM4 for NVIDIA’s upcoming Rubin AI platform, with 12-layer HBM4 mass production set for Q4 2025 at its new M15X fab in Cheongju.

However, uncertainty does cloud the DRAM market’s outlook for the second half, with a New Daily report warning of price swings in 2H25. Industry watchers cited by the report expect DRAM supply to outpace demand starting in Q4, likely pushing prices—especially for DDR5—briefly higher in Q3 before slipping again later in the year

TrendForce’s latest findings reveal that SK hynix took the lead in the first quarter, climbing to first place with $9.72 billion, despite a 7.1% QoQ revenue decline due to lower shipment volumes. The company’s growing share of HBM3e shipments helped maintain ASPs compared to the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, Samsung fell to second place with $9.1 billion, reflecting a sharp 19% QoQ revenue drop. This was mainly due to the inability to directly sell HBM products to China and significantly reduced shipments of high-priced HBM3e following its product redesign, as noted by TrendForce.

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(Photo credit: Samsung)