Samsung poised for record $33 billion first-quarter profit driven by memory chip boom

Samsung Electronics is on track to announce a blockbuster first-quarter earnings report, with analysts forecasting an operating profit surpassing 50 trillion won (about $33 billion)-a new all-time high for the tech giant.

To put that into perspective, this quarterly profit nearly matches what Samsung expects to earn for the entire year of 2025. The company’s operating income is projected to leap more than 400% compared to the same quarter last year, fueled by surging demand for memory chips.

Samsung’s memory division, a cornerstone of its semiconductor business, has been riding a wave of growth through its diverse portfolio-from traditional DRAM to high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips. These advanced memory modules are critical components for leading AI chipmakers like NVIDIA, who rely heavily on Samsung’s supply chain.

Another growth driver has been rising NAND flash memory prices, boosting Samsung’s revenue mix further. Meanwhile, the company’s mobile division is expected to report solid results, thanks to strong interest in the recently launched Galaxy S26 series, despite sales kicking off near the quarter’s end.

Recommended reading

RedMagic Astra 2 brings liquid cooling to tablets

Industry analysts predict that 2026 could be an even bigger year for Samsung, as demand for memory remains strong and the company expands its contract manufacturing services. This diversification could help Samsung push its profits to new levels in the near future.