In the first half of 2026, the global AI market remains hot. The demand for high-performance memory in data centers has surged like a rocket, leading to an increase in storage chip prices and tight supply. Samsung Electronics has delivered impressive results, with the operating profit in the first quarter reaching 57.2 trillion won, more than a 750% increase year-on-year, setting a new historical high for the company. HBM4 chips have begun mass production and shipping, with overall HBM revenue in 2026 expected to grow more than three times year-on-year, and production capacity has already been fully locked in, with some orders for 2027 received in advance. Samsung Electronics has a broad product line, covering Galaxy series smartphones, tablets, high-end Exynos processors, memory chips, and display panels.

In the wave of AI, the company is actively extending server-level high-bandwidth memory (HBM) technology to mobile devices, aiming to enable ordinary users' smartphones and tablets to easily run powerful local AI functions. This article analyzes the profound significance of this initiative from five aspects: investment growth potential, changes in AI usage experience, competitive strategic layout, impact on the industrial chain, as well as risks and long-term outlook, helping everyone to identify investment opportunities and industry changes.

Investment Growth Potential: From Cyclical Fluctuations to Stable High Growth

In the past, many investors viewed Samsung Electronics as a typical memory cyclical stock, with stock prices easily fluctuating with supply and demand. Now, the situation is changing. The strong demand for HBM from AI servers has significantly improved the gross margin of Samsung's semiconductor business. In the first quarter, the memory business contributed the vast majority of profits, with HBM4 shipments performing well, and traditional DRAM also increased in price. Once the mobile HBM project is realized, it can further open new space in the consumer electronics market and avoid the company being entirely reliant on server orders. Samsung has invested heavily and acted swiftly in HBM research and development. The company has taken the lead in achieving mass production and commercial shipment of HBM4, being the first in the industry to achieve this milestone.

HBM4 utilizes advanced processes to achieve data processing speeds of up to 11.7Gbps, significantly improving over the previous generation HBM3E, with a substantial increase in single-stack bandwidth and around a 40% optimization in energy efficiency. The company has also reduced the HBM development cycle from two years to one year, with rapid iterations of HBM4E samples planned for release in the second half of 2026, and customized versions to be delivered in 2027. In terms of production capacity, Samsung plans to increase HBM monthly production capacity to around 250,000 wafers in 2026, with HBM bit shipments expected to reach 11.2 billion Gb, more than triple the year-on-year growth. These technological breakthroughs and expansion plans directly support the explosive growth of the company's profits.

In the entire HBM market, Samsung's market share is steadily recovering. In the third quarter of 2025, Samsung's HBM market share was around 22%-35%, with SK Hynix still in the leading position. However, entering 2026, with the large-scale shipment of HBM4, Samsung's share is expected to rise to over 28%-30%. Analysts predict that by 2027, Samsung may be on par with SK Hynix in HBM bit shipments, each holding about 40% market share, while Micron is around 20%. This trend indicates that Samsung is gradually gaining stronger influence, shifting from a market follower to a more dominant position. The mobile HBM project further diversifies risks by bringing server-level technology to mobile devices, opening a new growth curve.

Imagine in the future, Galaxy flagship phones equipped with server-level memory, resulting in faster AI processing speeds and lower power consumption. This will not only boost smartphone sales and premium pricing but also enhance the overall stability of the semiconductor business. Analysts believe that the merger of memory and smartphones has the potential to allow Samsung to gain valuation re-evaluation. In the medium to long term, investors can view Samsung as a target driven by both AI infrastructure and end-device capabilities, with notable configuration value. The company has planned over 110 trillion won in massive capital expenditures for research and development and expansion, indicating management's firm confidence in the long-term trend of AI.

Revolution in AI Usage Experience: Making Powerful AI Truly Accessible in Daily Life

Previously, high-performance AI computing was primarily housed in large cloud servers, with users often needing to connect to the internet and wait while using their smartphones. Now, Samsung's development of mobile HBM is aimed at breaking this limitation. The AI models within smartphones can directly access more high-speed memory, making complex tasks such as image generation, real-time translation, and video editing quick and smooth, while keeping privacy data local and more secure. Ordinary users will noticeably feel the change: opening the camera, AI automatically beautifies or generates backgrounds with almost no delay; during video chats with friends, real-time subtitles translate accurately and naturally; even in offline environments, the smartphone can help summarize notes or plan itineraries.

This is not just a hardware upgrade; it transforms AI from being an "occasional tool" to a "handy assistant at all times". Developers will also be able to create smarter applications based on stronger local computing capabilities, invigorating the entire mobile ecosystem. As a result, users' lives will become more convenient, and the market demand for high-end AI smartphones will rise dramatically.

Competitive Strategic Layout: Samsung's Integrated Counterattack Weapon

In the AI smartphone battlefield, Samsung faces competition from Apple's A-series chips and Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. Mobile HBM gives Samsung a unique advantage. The company controls memory, advanced packaging, and Exynos processors, allowing for tight integration of these technologies to create differentiated products. If the Galaxy series is the first to utilize mobile HBM, its AI features will be more prominent, attracting consumers seeking high-end experiences. Competitors like SK Hynix may currently lead in the server HBM sector, but Samsung is breaking through with innovation on the mobile side.

With the integration of mobile HBM into Exynos chips, dependence on external suppliers will decrease, naturally expanding profit margins. The company has also shortened the HBM development cycle from two years to one year, keeping pace with clients like NVIDIA. This integrated strategy helps Samsung gradually shift from a "follower" to a "definer". Investors observing financial reports should focus on changes in HBM market share and the adoption ratio of Exynos in Galaxy phones, as these are good indicators of strategic execution capability.

Impact on the Industrial Chain: Driving Mutual Prosperity Up and Down the Supply Chain

The mobile HBM project does not only affect Samsung alone. It will be like a stone thrown into a lake, creating layers of ripples. Advanced packaging material suppliers will receive more orders, and the demand for cooling technologies and battery companies will also increase because high-performance memory requires better support to control temperature and endurance. Sensors, displays, and other segments will similarly benefit, enhancing the overall value of the AI terminal industrial chain. From a broader perspective, global AI capital expenditures are extending from purely cloud-based towards end devices, opening up a new trillion-dollar market. The premium capability of high-end AI smartphones will stimulate consumers to upgrade their devices. In regions with strong data privacy awareness, local AI solutions will also be more popular. Samsung's action reflects the industry's shift from "cloud dominance" to "collaborative cloud and terminal", creating tangible growth opportunities for the upstream and downstream of the supply chain.

Risks and Long-term Outlook: Rationally Viewing Opportunities and Challenges

Any new technology layout comes with risks. Currently, Samsung's HBM capacity prioritizes meeting large server client demands, and the mass production timeline for the mobile version may be delayed until after 2027 for subsequent Exynos chips. The cost is high, and technical yields need verification, so initially, it may only be used in flagship models. The memory industry is highly cyclical; if the pace of AI investment slows, prices may adjust downward, and investors need to remain vigilant. However, in the long term, the outlook is optimistic. By around 2030, the computing power of AI smartphones is expected to leap significantly, altering user lifestyles. With this layout, Samsung is expected to consolidate its leadership position in semiconductors, with a more balanced and stable profit structure.

For ordinary investors, this is a medium to long-term theme worth continuous tracking. It is recommended to pay attention to Samsung's quarterly financial reports, HBM shipment data, and supply chain verification news, and to allocate semiconductor-related assets based on personal risk preferences. Samsung's bet on mobile HBM demonstrates a clear judgment on the future of AI. This action not only drives the company's growth but also quietly reshapes the entire industry landscape. With the arrival of the AI era, seizing innovation opportunities on the terminal side may be the new trend for semiconductor investment. Investment involves risks; decisions should be made based on personal situations and professional advice.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational reference only and does not constitute any investment advice. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile; investment involves risks, please conduct your own research and independently bear the consequences.

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