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According to a report by ZDNet Korea, Samsung Electronics is adjusting its next-generation DRAM strategy by incorporating the previously project-based B1b into its official roadmap, naming it the first DRAM D0a below 10 nanometers. Previously, D0a referred to vertical transistor DRAM, and this product is now classified separately as D0a-V. This renaming aims to accelerate the introduction of advanced packaging in general DRAM.B1b will manufacture storage cells and peripheral driver circuits on different wafers before bonding them together, using wafer-to-wafer hybrid bonding and directly connecting through copper interconnects. The currently commercialized DRAM is 1c, which is the 6th generation 10 nanometer level, with a line width of about 11 to 12 nanometers; the next generation 1d is the 7th generation 10 nanometer level, with a line width of about 10 to 11 nanometers, considered effectively the last 10 nanometer level product, with the related line width being a marketing term rather than an actual physical size. Vertical transistors can arrange transistors within the cell vertically, reducing the cell area from 6F² to 4F², but they need to address high aspect ratio etching and leakage current, making development more challenging. Wafer-to-wafer hybrid bonding has already been mass-produced in CMOS image sensors and high-stacking NAND.Samsung Electronics is evaluating the use of B1b for the 8th generation high bandwidth memory HBM5. HBM5 is expected to be mass-produced around 2029, aiming to increase operating speed by more than 50% compared to HBM4E. Industry estimates suggest that D0a DRAM based on B1b will be commercially available in about two years, with specific mass production investment schedules likely to be determined by mid-next year.

Aoni Electronics announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Aoni Intelligent Technology (Zhongshan) Co., Ltd. has signed a procurement contract with Company A to purchase GPU computing power cards, with a total contract amount of 1.67 billion yuan (including tax). The contract has been officially signed and is effective.

According to Money Today on September 21, Samsung Electronics is advancing the expansion of advanced process capacity in wafer foundry due to the growth of the HBM market. To meet the rising demand for HBM4 base chips, it is evaluating the expansion of its 4-nanometer process. Samsung's HBM4 consists of 10-nanometer 6th generation (1c) DRAM core chips and 4-nanometer logic base chips, with the base chips responsible for high-speed data exchange with AI accelerators such as GPUs.Unlike SK Hynix, which uses TSMC's 12-nanometer process for HBM4 base chips, Samsung employs its own 4-nanometer process. This production line is operating at full capacity and has taken on orders from companies like Nvidia and Groq for 3 LPU, and the company has recently raised its prices for new 4-nanometer orders and HBM4 base chips. Samsung expects HBM4 revenue in the third quarter to increase more than threefold quarter-on-quarter, with HBM4 accounting for significantly more than 60% of HBM revenue in the second half of the year. The additional expansion at P4 in Pyeongtaek will mostly be used for 1c DRAM for HBM, with more than half of the wafer foundry's 4-nanometer capacity allocated to HBM4 base chips.HBM4E also uses 4-nanometer base chips, and Samsung provided samples to customers in May. The company is also evaluating the construction of a new 2-nanometer production line for HBM5, aiming for a GAA structure 2-nanometer process and increasing TSV density to improve operating speed by more than 50% compared to HBM4E. Samsung started the first generation of 2-nanometer mass production in the second half of last year and is advancing the second generation of products in the second half of this year. Citigroup expects global HBM bit demand to reach 75.2 billion Gb next year, a year-on-year increase of 62%, with supply around 59.4 billion Gb and a gap of about 21%.

According to a report by Seoul Economic Daily, Samsung Electronics plans to increase the production of the sixth-generation high bandwidth memory HBM4 and the seventh-generation HBM4E, among other HBM4 series, by at least more than double compared to this year. The company intends to outsource the cleaning volume of glass substrates required for thinning HBM DRAM from 20,000 pieces per month this year to 50,000 pieces per month next year, an increase of 2.5 times compared to this year. Last year, the monthly demand for these substrates was about 10,000 pieces, which has already doubled this year compared to last year.The HBM4 and HBM4E that Samsung Electronics is focusing on expanding production are primarily high-stacking products with 12 layers or more. The company began mass production and shipment of HBM4 using sixth-generation 10nm (1c) DRAM and 4nm process-based chips in February this year, and provided 12-layer samples of HBM4E to customers such as Nvidia in May. The industry expects that, based on monthly wafer input, Samsung Electronics' HBM production capacity will increase from about 180,000 pieces this year to about 250,000 pieces next year, an increase of nearly 40%; the shipment proportion of the HBM4 series may rise from about 40% this year to about 80% next year.

Samsung Electronics hired former Director of the Foreign Exchange System Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Lee Hee-kun, for its IR team as an executive last month. Lee Hee-kun has held positions such as Director of the Foreign Exchange System Division and Director of the Capital Market Policy Division, responsible for foreign exchange systems and overseas investment responses. In April this year, he participated in the work of including South Korea in the World Government Bond Index and received special recognition. He is expected to be responsible for responding to overseas investors and the global capital market.SK Hynix hired former Director of the Strategic Economic Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Jeong Yu-jin, as the Vice President under the Communications Division last month. Jeong Yu-jin has served as the Director of the Climate and Environment Budget Division, Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Director of the Foreign Exchange System Division, and Director of the Foreign Exchange Fund Division. Both companies are advancing production investments in the United States, with Samsung Electronics planning to invest $37 billion to build a foundry in Taylor, Texas, and SK Hynix planning to invest $4 billion to build an advanced packaging factory in Indiana.

According to the Chosun Ilbo report on September 15, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix's third-quarter operating profit consensus has been raised again within three months. Based on reports from major brokerages and overseas investment banks, Samsung Electronics' estimated operating profit for the third quarter is approximately 114 trillion won, an increase of 12.2836 trillion won (12%) from 101.9052 trillion won three months ago, and a 28% increase from 89.4 trillion won in the second quarter. SK Hynix's estimate for the third quarter is 78.8035 trillion won, a 4% increase from 75.7249 trillion won three months ago, and a 30% increase from 60.5426 trillion won in the second quarter.TrendForce expects the fixed transaction prices for general DRAM in the third quarter to rise by 13% to 18% quarter-on-quarter, while NAND flash is expected to rise by 10% to 15%. The securities industry is paying attention to Samsung Electronics' HBM4 revenue share, which expanded from 5% in the first quarter to about 35% in the second quarter, along with improvements in yield rates. SK Hynix maintains the largest market share in HBM, but improvements in Samsung's HBM4 mass production may dilute its supply premium. Citigroup Securities has lowered SK Hynix's third-quarter operating profit estimate from 76.7 trillion won to 74 trillion won due to the strengthening of the won. Micron will announce its fourth-quarter results for fiscal year 2026 (June to August) on the 30th, with revenue guidance of $49 billion to $51 billion.

The Bank of Korea recently reviewed the reasons for the fluctuations of the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) in the "Monetary and Credit Policy Report for September 2026." The report shows that as the KOSPI continues to rise, the contribution rates of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to the index's increase have rapidly increased.Especially during the process in June this year when the KOSPI surged from 8000 points to 9000 points, the contribution rates of these two stocks to the index's rise reached as high as 99%.

According to The Bell, Samsung Electronics' foundry division has delayed its contract for application processor foundry production with Qualcomm due to differences in production unit prices, and both parties have failed to narrow the price gap, prolonging negotiations. There have been no significant technical issues, and the currently discussed 2-nanometer process has received a considerable degree of stabilization evaluation.Industry sources indicate that the Qualcomm AP foundry using Samsung's 2-nanometer process may be postponed until next year, and it is unclear whether production can commence within this year. Qualcomm had previously entrusted advanced AP production to Samsung before 2021, and Samsung has been continuously striving to regain this business in recent years, having secured clients such as Tesla and Broadcom.Informed sources state that the contract delay has made it difficult for Samsung to produce APs for Qualcomm this year, and both parties may turn to discuss the next generation of products. After acquiring strategic clients, Samsung is no longer willing to accept low-price orders as it did in the past.

According to the Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily, Samsung Electronics has begun developing its first AI glasses equipped with a display. This product not only provides audio functionality but also displays colorful visual information on the lenses, similar to the Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses.Industry insiders revealed that Samsung Electronics is considering developing an ultra-small screen with a size of only 0.2 inches or smaller for the AI glasses, and last month assigned this R&D task to Samsung Display, outlining requirements regarding product dimensions, information display area, color, and price. Samsung Electronics is currently evaluating candidate panel solutions such as OLEDoS or LEDoS, and the industry expects this product to be released in the second half of 2027 or the first half of 2028.Currently, the specific details of the glasses have not been finalized. In terms of color display, Samsung Electronics is expected to use a limited grayscale with 4-bit color instead of a high-definition screen, and it has not yet decided whether to adopt a binocular or monocular design. Industry insiders indicate that RGB OLEDoS faces challenges in terms of price and yield, and it is likely that a white OLEDoS panel will be launched. Samsung previously released AI glasses without a display, co-developed by Samsung Electronics, Google, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker.

French artificial intelligence company Mistral AI announced the completion of a €3 billion Series D funding round, with a post-investment valuation exceeding €21 billion. The company stated that this is the largest equity financing for a technology company in Europe to date. Samsung Electronics led the round, with the Scaleup Europe Fund managed by EQT and existing investor PSG Equity co-leading. New investors include Advent, funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.Existing investors such as a16z, ASML, Belfius, BNP Paribas CIB, Bpifrance, Carmignac, DST Global, Eurazeo, General Catalyst, Headline, Hillspire, Index Ventures, Korelya Capital, Lightspeed, NVIDIA, Solar Fund under Phoenix Court (including LocalGlobe, Latitude, and Solar), and Salesforce Ventures continued to participate. The funds will be used for cutting-edge model research, computing power and infrastructure expansion, as well as commercialization and international market development. Mistral AI currently operates in 20 countries, serving over 125 companies, including Airbus, ASML, and HSBC.

Licheng, Jingyuan Electronics, and Silergy all reported year-on-year and month-on-month revenue growth in August, with Licheng and Silergy setting new historical highs for two consecutive months. Licheng's consolidated revenue in August was 8.558 billion New Taiwan Dollars, a month-on-month increase of 3.48% and a year-on-year increase of 24.46%. After breaking the 8 billion mark for the first time in July and setting a historical high, August saw another record. The cumulative revenue for the first eight months reached 61.258 billion New Taiwan Dollars, a year-on-year increase of 30.83%. Jingyuan Electronics reported revenue of 4.08 billion New Taiwan Dollars in August, a month-on-month increase of 2.23% and a year-on-year increase of 31.58%. The cumulative revenue for the first eight months was 29.404 billion New Taiwan Dollars, a year-on-year increase of 35.53%. Silergy's revenue in August was 2.07 billion New Taiwan Dollars, with a month-on-month increase of nearly 3% and a year-on-year increase of nearly 29%. The cumulative revenue for the first eight months reached 15.26 billion New Taiwan Dollars, a year-on-year increase of over 20%.Licheng's main source of growth this year remains the rebound in demand for memory packaging and testing. Licheng previously anticipated that revenue in the third quarter would show single-digit quarter-on-quarter growth, with the fourth quarter having the potential to exceed the third quarter. The momentum for memory orders is expected to continue until the end of the year, with a positive market outlook at the beginning of next year. In addition to its core memory business, advanced packaging has become a key focus for the next phase of development. The panel-level packaging has already been adopted by American clients, and the production capacity of the P11 plant has been secured by clients, with plans to enter the mass production phase of integrated ASIC and HBM AI chips by mid-2027.Jingyuan Electronics has been actively expanding its high-end testing capacity in recent years, with AI-related products becoming an important driving force for its operations. The testing demand for AI GPUs, ASICs, and high-performance computing chips remains its main source of growth. Silergy pointed out that the demand for AI and high-speed interconnects is strong, including an increase in demand for high-performance computing chips such as CPUs, GPUs, ASICs, and AI accelerators. After completing the cleanroom construction at the newly acquired Hukou plant in February, Silergy began mass production in July, currently achieving 40% of the total capacity of the plant and gradually taking on new demand from overseas clients.

According to South Korean media Greened.kr, Samsung Electronics and Arm have officially launched a joint research and development project for edge AI chips. Arm approved a one-time engineering fee at the end of August for the development of the next-generation edge AI SoC chip and officially started the project with Samsung Electronics.The project adopts a collaborative model where Arm provides core technology, and Samsung Electronics integrates and implements it, aiming to jointly develop customized chips for end customers.

According to a report by South Korea's Seoul Economic Daily on August 31, the prices of HBM and DRAM used in AI accelerators continue to rise. Data from the Korea Trade Association shows that DRAM export volume decreased from approximately 681.7 million units in May to 591.74 million units in July, a decline of 13.2%. However, the export value increased from $11.428 billion to $13.552 billion, a growth of 18.5%, with the export unit price rising from $16.76 to $22.9, an increase of 36.6%.The supply of HBM4 to customers such as Nvidia is expanding, but the initial yield is lower than that of HBM3E, exacerbating the overall DRAM supply shortage. Samsung Electronics' memory division is reportedly planning to allocate about 70% of its capacity to long-term supply agreements until 2031, with major clients including Nvidia, Microsoft, and Google. Mega Grid Supply data shows that the spot price for HBM3E 36GB is $2,100, approximately 4 to 5 times the long-term contract price; the spot price for HBM4 16-layer, which is in mass production coordination, is about $3,500.The financial investment community expects Samsung Electronics' third-quarter revenue to reach 206.64 trillion won and operating profit to reach 116.38 trillion won, with operating profit expected to exceed 100 trillion won for the first time. SK Hynix's third-quarter revenue is expected to be 101.76 trillion won, with operating profit of 79.16 trillion won. Samsung Electronics is considering converting its only wafer foundry line S5 in the Pyeongtaek campus to memory production as early as next year.

LG Electronics will entrust Samsung Electronics to manufacture AI home appliance chips to reduce reliance on TSMC. CoAsia SEMI will develop two IoT chips for LG, with a total project cost of 31 billion Korean won (approximately 1.51 billion RMB), lasting from July 2026 to December 2030.This project is part of the South Korean government's "K-On-Device AI Semiconductor Technology Development" program, which has a total budget of approximately 800 billion Korean won.

Today, South Korean semiconductor concept stocks are under pressure and have retreated, but trading in related asset markets remains active. According to data from the Gate platform, SK Hynix (000660) is currently priced at $1,175.12, with a 24-hour decline of 2.11%; Samsung Electronics (005930) is currently priced at $183.02, with a 24-hour decline of 1.94%.According to CoinGlass data, trading in the SKHYNIX and SAMSUNG contract markets is active, with the open interest of the two underlying contracts increasing by 4.03% and 7.30%, respectively. The trading volume of the contracts increased by 451.63% and 1069.65%, respectively. In Gate's related stock derivatives, the SKHX contract open interest reached $180 million, ranking second in the entire network, with a 24-hour trading volume of $180 million; the SAMSUNG contract open interest reached $8.14 million, ranking second in the entire network, with a 24-hour trading volume of $5.94 million.

The Taiwanese prosecutors stated that they are investigating the global leading chip substrate and printed circuit board manufacturer, Unimicron Technology Corporation, which is a key supplier for NVIDIA, Intel, Google, and Amazon. The investigation targets the company for allegedly mislabeling parts made in China as being produced in Taiwan, which may violate laws prohibiting the laundering of origin.Unimicron Technology Corporation is one of the world's top printed circuit board manufacturers, and this investigation occurs against the backdrop of the United States cracking down on transshipment.

Japanese cryptocurrency exchange service provider Coincheck announced that it has completed the registration for electronic payment methods and other transactions on August 27, 2026, becoming the second company in Japan to obtain a license related to stablecoins.Coincheck stated that it will gradually develop stablecoin and on-chain financial related businesses based on its previous cooperation with the American company Circle to expand the use cases of USDC in Japan. The company claims that stablecoins have price stability linked to fiat currencies, which can be used for around-the-clock, fast, and low-cost transfers and payments.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix plan to increase the supply of 8-layer HBM4 memory to NVIDIA in the second half of this year.This move is influenced by NVIDIA's supply strategy, aiming to ensure a stable supply of HBM memory while also considering product heat generation.

On August 20, according to the Korea Economic Daily, Samsung Electronics plans to announce a shareholder return plan worth approximately 150 trillion won this month, exceeding the previously reported amount of 100 trillion won. It is expected to include measures such as stock buybacks and special dividends, potentially setting a new historical high for listed companies in South Korea. Industry insiders revealed that Samsung Electronics plans to hold a board meeting this month to review the relevant proposals. Earlier, the market had anticipated that the return scale could reach as high as 200 trillion won, but considering the company's basic principle of using 50% of free cash flow (FCF) for shareholder returns, the final scale is expected to be between 150 trillion and 160 trillion won.Samsung Electronics executives stated that with the recovery of the memory chip industry, the company's cash generation ability has significantly improved. Brokerages expect Samsung Electronics' total free cash flow for this year to be approximately 263 trillion won, and the cumulative free cash flow during the shareholder return policy period from 2024 to 2026 is expected to be around 319 trillion won. Based on a 50% return ratio, the total return funds are about 160 trillion won. After deducting the 39.1 trillion won already executed and planned for execution, the remaining funds are close to 120 trillion won.The market expects that Samsung Electronics may use the remaining funds to add a large-scale special dividend in addition to maintaining the regular dividend of 1,668 won per share each year, and to promote large-scale stock buybacks. Industry insiders indicate that following SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics' launch of a large-scale shareholder return plan may become an important factor in driving the valuation increase of the South Korean stock market.

According to ZDNet Korea, Samsung Electronics is accelerating the expansion of its advanced wafer foundry capacity in the United States. The company plans to start the second phase of construction at the Taylor wafer plant in Texas by the end of this year, aiming for mass production by 2030, and has requested major equipment partners to obtain SEMI certification in advance for subsequent equipment import and export. SEMI certification is a standard for assessing the safety of semiconductor equipment and is usually a necessary procedure before equipment leaves the country.The Taylor wafer plant is responsible for Samsung's most advanced foundry mass production tasks. The first phase is currently undergoing equipment entry and installation, with a target to start production by the end of this year, focusing on a 2-nanometer mass production process, with Tesla seen as a core customer. Samsung stated in last month's second-quarter earnings call that to respond promptly to the growing customer demand, the second phase of Taylor will commence by the end of this year. Industry insiders say that although the specific specifications for the second phase have not yet been finalized, Samsung's foundry business has already pushed forward relevant preparations in advance.Previously, Samsung had postponed the investment in the first phase of Taylor multiple times due to insufficient customers and a sluggish market, until Tesla signed a foundry agreement worth approximately 22.76 trillion won in the third quarter of last year, which accelerated construction. The actual pace of mass production in the second phase will still depend on the expansion of supply to Tesla and the progress of new major customers. Additionally, there are reports that Samsung E&A is considering dispatching dozens of construction personnel locally.