For the past quarters, Samsung Electronics has been in the unusual position of chasing. While SK Hynix has dominated the supply of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to AI sector leader Nvidia, the Suwon-based giant has struggled to certify its latest solutions. According to the latest reports, this defensive phase is now coming to an end. Samsung is preparing to start production of HBM4 chips as early as next month, heading the first batches straight to Nvidia’s and AMD’s data centres.
This breakthrough, signalled by industry sources, suggests that Samsung has successfully passed the rigorous qualification tests that were previously an insurmountable barrier. For the semiconductor market, this is a signal of fundamental importance. The entry of a third player with full production capacity could stabilise supply chains that have so far been a bottleneck for the global expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure.
From a business perspective, the move has two dimensions. Firstly, for Nvidia, diversifying its HBM4 suppliers – a key component of next-generation GPUs – means more bargaining power and less operational risk. Secondly, for Samsung itself, it is an opportunity to regain margins that have suffered as a result of the slowdown in the traditional DRAM market. Success in the HBM4 segment is not just a matter of prestige, but a prerequisite for maintaining dominance in the era of high performance computing.
Analysts point out that, although the exact scale of orders remains confidential, Samsung’s determination to start shipments as early as February demonstrates the high maturity of their technology processes. The rivalry with SK Hynix and Micron is thus entering a decisive phase, in which the winner will no longer be determined solely by chip design, but above all by the efficiency of mass production. In a world where demand for AI computing power seems insatiable, Samsung has just reminded the market that it does not intend to give up the field without a fight.
