DBT Bureau
Pune, 6 May 2026
Samsung Electronics reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
The Company posted KRW 133.9 trillion in consolidated revenue, an all-time quarterly high, representing a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) increase of 43%. Operating profit was also an all-time high, increasing to KRW 57.2 trillion.
The Device Solutions (DS) Division posted a QoQ sales increase of 86%, with the Memory Business setting an all-time high for quarterly revenue and operating profit as a result of technological leadership in the memory market, as well as higher average selling price (ASP).
The Device eXperience (DX) Division posted a QoQ sales increase of 19%, supported by the launch of new flagship smartphones. Despite higher cost pressures, the Division expanded the sales of high-value-added products across businesses to preserve profitability.
Semiconductors To Drive Structured Growth on AI-Related Demand
The DS Division posted KRW 81.7 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 53.7 trillion in operating profit for the first quarter.
The Memory Business surpassed its quarterly sales record by addressing high-value-added AI demand despite limited supply availability, with industry-wide memory price increases also a contributing factor.
Additionally, the Business led the memory market by utilizing its differentiated technology leadership. This included initiating the industry’s first mass product sales of HBM4 and SOCAMM2 for NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin platform, as well as the timely development of PCIe Gen6 SSDs.
In Q2 2026, the Memory Business anticipates demand to remain strong amid AI infrastructure expansion and is scheduled to deliver its first HBM4E samples to solidify technical leadership. The Business also aims to proactively capitalize on early demand for new GPUs and CPUs to be launched in the second half of 2026 and plans to continue its AI product-centric sales strategy for both DRAM and NAND.
In H2 2026, the Company expects server memory demand to remain strong as hyperscalers accommodate enterprises’ increasing adoption of AI and LLM services. Additionally, agentic AI is expected to accelerate growth in demand.
The Memory Business also seeks to spearhead the AI memory market based on technology competitiveness by continuing to expand its share of high-value-added AI products like DDR5, SOCAMM2 and others. At the same time, the Business plans to lead the initial PCIe Gen6 eSSD market with high-performance products focused on KV cache storage demand.
Earnings at the System LSI Business improved on the back of expanded SoC sales.
In Q2 2026, the System LSI Business aims to increase sales of SoCs and sensors for volume-tier smartphones.
In H2 2026, the Business plans to secure flagship SoC design wins and expand its 200MP sensor customer base and product lineup.
Earnings for the Foundry Business declined as a result of off-peak seasonality. However, it continued to maintain design wins focused on HPCs and established a foundation in the silicon photonics business.
In Q2 2026, the Business plans to reach full utilization of advanced-node production lines while targeting earnings improvement on increased HBM4 base-die supply. Development of the 1.4nm node remains on track, with the Business also pursuing the expansion of large-scale 2nm customers.
Looking ahead to H2 2026, the Foundry Business plans to start ramping up production of the second-generation 2nm process for mobile products, as well as the mass production of 4nm memory products and LPUs for AI and HPC customers. Furthermore, it aims to diversify its portfolio to include not just AI and HPC, but also the automotive and aerospace industries.
SDC To Build on Strengths in Differentiated Technologies and Premium Products
Samsung Display Corporation (SDC) posted KRW 6.7 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 0.4 trillion in operating profit for the first quarter.
For the small and medium display business, SDC reported a decline in earnings due to seasonal effects and the impact of higher memory prices, while its large display business maintained stable sales on robust demand for OLED gaming monitors.
In Q2 2026, SDC’s small and medium display business will focus on sales in the relatively resilient high-end segment despite overall weak market demand, and its large display business aims to capture demand supported by new product launches and the impact of global sporting events.
In H2 2026, SDC expects continued market uncertainty and low visibility in small and medium displays, and it will pursue higher revenues via premium products with differentiated technology as well as 8.6G IT OLED mass production. In large displays, it intends to solidify its position in the premium TV market while expanding its customer base in monitors.
MX To Secure Revenue Expansion With Diverse Product Mix
The MX and Networks Businesses posted KRW 38.1 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 2.8 trillion in operating profit for the first quarter.
The MX Business saw sales and profit increase as a result of its premium product mix, securing single-digit profitability via proactive cost optimization.
In Q2 2026, amid diminishing launch effects, QoQ revenue is expected to decline. However, the MX Business will drive year-on-year (YoY) revenue growth via flagship sales and new A-series devices.
In H2 2026, the MX Business plans to pursue comprehensive growth by solidifying flagship-led sales and upselling initiatives while staying ahead of evolving customer needs by strengthening the product development of foldables. It will also pursue efficiency initiatives to mitigate the impact of rising cost pressures on profitability.
In Q1 2026, the Networks Business experienced a decline in earnings QoQ and YoY as it faced investment headwinds in the telecommunications industry. In Q2 2026, it intends to improve earnings via overseas sales expansion. Looking to H2 2026, the Business plans to capitalize on leadership in vRAN, ORAN and AI-RAN to capture new markets while securing profitability through structural cost discipline.
CE Business and Harman to Further Advance Product Lineups and AI Functionality
The Visual Display (VD) and Digital Appliances (DA) Businesses posted KRW 14.3 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 0.2 trillion in operating profit in the first quarter.
The VD Business saw improved profitability through solid sales of premium and big-size TVs as well as resource optimization.
In Q2 2026, the VD Business will target increased revenue by capturing sporting-event-driven demand with a strengthened product lineup. In H2 2026, it intends to solidify TV sales leadership via AI features while accelerating service and OS business expansion.
Meanwhile, the DA Business experienced a limited improvement to earnings in Q1 2026 amid cost pressures and tariffs. In Q2 2026, it will drive revenue growth through a new premium lineup and a recovery in demand for air conditioners. In H2 2026, the Business aims to implement cost efficiency initiatives while driving premium sales.
Harman posted an earnings decline in Q1 2026 due to increased expenses amid memory constraints and audio seasonality. In Q2 2026, it expects earnings to grow on increased auto supply, and in H2 2026, it will seek to maintain profitable momentum through increased automotive supply and premium audio sales.
