As of October 5, 2026, Samsung Electronics is negotiating next year’s high-bandwidth memory (HBM) supply at a sharply higher price. Per a Maeil Business report, Samsung has proposed the mid-to-high $4 range per gigabit for 2027 HBM4 annual supply — more than triple the roughly $1.50 its flagship HBM3E fetches — with the talks expected to conclude within the month.
Key Takeaways
- ▲ Samsung’s 2027 HBM4 ask: the mid-to-high $4 range per gigabit, over triple the HBM3E level.
- ▲ Samsung’s Q3 operating profit is expected to top 100 trillion won for the first time.
- ▼ The DX division is forecast to lose about 2 trillion won on component cost inflation.
- ■ SK hynix still holds 50% of HBM revenue.
Samsung’s HBM4 ask: the mid-to-high $4 range per gigabit
HBM is sold mainly through annual contracts in which next year’s volumes and prices are set in advance. Maeil Business reported on October 2:
“삼성전자는 최근 주요 고객사와 진행 중인 내년도 HBM4 연간 공급 가격 협상에서 1기가비트(Gb)당 4달러대 중후반의 가격을 제시했다” (매일경제, 2026-10-02) — “In ongoing negotiations with major customers over next year’s HBM4 annual supply prices, Samsung Electronics has proposed a price in the mid-to-high $4 range per gigabit” (Maeil Business, Oct 2, 2026).
The rationale is performance confidence: Samsung’s HBM4 has secured a stable 11.7Gbps transfer rate and can reach up to 13Gbps, an industry-leading ceiling the company wants to convert into a price premium as competition shifts from volume to quality.
Why the memory upcycle supports the raise
The pricing push lands in a favorable cycle. ZDNet Korea reported that Micron, often read as the sector’s memory vane, posted quarterly results well above market expectations. FnGuide consensus cited by Bloter puts Samsung’s third-quarter operating profit at 108.1312 trillion won, up 788.8% year over year — crossing 100 trillion won would be a company first. The same report cautions the DX division is forecast to lose about 2 trillion won on component costs, and the foundry business remains in the red.
Can Samsung close the HBM share gap?
The ask also reflects a competitive reset. Counterpoint Research data cited by IT Daily shows second-quarter HBM revenue share at SK hynix 50%, Samsung 33% and Micron 18% — Samsung up from 15% a year earlier while SK hynix slid from 64%. In July, Barclays initiated SK hynix’s ADR at overweight with a $330 target, roughly double the then-current price, on a persistent-shortage thesis.
Risks and what to watch
SK hynix is weighing how to fund its US subsidiary Solidigm alongside HBM, packaging and cluster investments, Yonhap reported. What to watch: whether customers accept the roughly tripled ask, and whether HBM4 qualification and yields hold.
Frequently asked questions
What price is Samsung asking for HBM4?
Per Maeil Business, the mid-to-high $4 range per gigabit for 2027 supply, versus roughly $1.50 for HBM3E.
How much will HBM prices rise in 2027?
Those are forecasts, not settled contract prices: TrendForce projects a 121% rise in next year’s HBM average selling price, and KB Securities estimates over 100% year-over-year growth.
Why is Samsung raising HBM prices now?
The HBM4 transition rewards measured performance, AI demand keeps supply tight, and HBM consumes more than three times the wafers of ordinary DRAM.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.
