SK Hynix’ Lead Shrinks In DRAM, HBM
Samsung is suddenly gaining ground in both markets
By Mark LaPedus
SK hynix is still the market share leader in both the DRAM and high bandwidth memory (HBM) segments, but Samsung is suddenly gaining ground in the arena.
Let’s start with the DRAM market. It’s been a tumultuous period in the DRAM business. For the third quarter of 2025, “the overall market size grew by 26% QoQ, driven by both increased shipment volumes and rising prices,” according to Counterpoint Research. “Supply shortages emerged as major suppliers reduced their legacy DRAM volumes.”
In the DRAM market, South Korea’s SK hynix has been the leader in terms of market share for three consecutive quarters, according to Counterpoint Research. In terms of overall DRAM sales, SK hynix was in first place with a market share of 34% in the third quarter of 2025, according to Counterpoint Research.
In the third quarter, South Korea’s Samsung was close behind in second place with a 33% share in the DRAM market, followed by U.S.-based Micron (26% share), China’s CXMT (5%), Taiwan’s Nanya (2%) and others (1%), according to Counterpoint Research.
SK hynix appears to be losing ground. The company’s overall DRAM share fell from 38% in the second quarter to 34% in the third quarter, according to the firm. Samsung, which lost its leadership position in the DRAM market, could be making a comeback. Samsung’s overall DRAM share rose from 32% in the second quarter to 33% in the third quarter, according to the firm.
CXMT is also worth watching. The Chinese DRAM maker has seen its share jump from 3% in the third quarter of 2024 to 5% in the third quarter of 2025.
HBM share
Meanwhile, thanks to AI, HBM is a hot market. Suppliers have been sold out of these products for some time. Suppliers also appear to be sold out in 2026, as well.
In terms of overall HBM sales, SK hynix remained in first place with a market share of 57% in the third quarter of 2025, according to Counterpoint Research.
In the third quarter, Samsung jumped from third to second place in the HMB rankings in terms of sales. Samsung’s HBM share jumped from 15% in the second quarter to 22% in the third quarter, according to the firm.
Micron fell from second to third place. Micron’s HBM share was 21% in both quarters.
“SK hynix firmly maintained its first position, but its market share dropped slightly compared to the previous quarter,” according to Counterpoint Research. “Samsung, which struggled in the first half of the year due to restricted exports to China, saw a slight increase in its market share in Q3 thanks to the strong performance of HBM3E.”
HBM is a DRAM memory stack. HBM is often situated in a 2.5D package. An HBM DRAM stack and a processor or GPU are situated on an interposer in the same package. In operation, the HBM enables the data to transfer between the memory and the processor or GPU at high speeds. Source: Rambus