In a historic shake-up of the global memory chip industry, SK Hynix has officially claimed the top spot in the DRAM market, overtaking longtime leader Samsung for the very first time. Thanks to surging AI memory demand, SK Hynix captured an impressive 36% of the DRAM market share in Q1 2025, just edging out Samsung’s 34%, according to new data from Counterpoint Research.

This is no small milestone. It ends Samsung’s remarkable three-decade reign over the DRAM market and signals a major shift in the semiconductor world — a shift powered almost entirely by the unstoppable rise of artificial intelligence.

HBM Chips: The Game Changer

The secret behind SK Hynix’s success? High-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips.

HBM chips, which stack multiple DRAM dies to dramatically boost data processing capabilities, have become essential components for training and operating AI models. With AI technologies like generative AI, large language models, and computer vision pushing the boundaries of what memory can handle, HBM solutions are now in higher demand than ever.

SK Hynix has capitalized on this trend perfectly, securing a dominant 70% share of the HBM market. Their early and focused investment in the tricky manufacturing of HBM DRAM has clearly paid off.

“This is a milestone for SK Hynix, which is successfully delivering on DRAM to a market that continues to show unfettered demand for HBM memory,” said Jeongku Choi, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research.

Meanwhile, Samsung, despite its massive scale, now finds itself needing to catch up in a sector where being slightly behind can mean losing billions.

Financial Surge Reflects AI Momentum

The financial numbers mirror this seismic shift. Analysts expect SK Hynix to report a 38% quarterly increase in sales and a 129% surge in operating profit for the March quarter, according to Bloomberg.

As AI news continues to dominate headlines, the semiconductor industry is experiencing a clear transformation. While traditional DRAM remains crucial for everyday computing devices, the real battleground is now in specialized memory solutions for AI.

Looking ahead, TrendForce predicts SK Hynix will hold onto its leadership, projecting they’ll command over 50% of the HBM market in gigabit shipments throughout 2025. Samsung’s share could dip below 30%, while Micron Technology is expected to gain traction and capture close to 20% of the market.

Can SK Hynix Stay on Top?

While today’s AI-driven boom favors SK Hynix, experts warn that challenges are looming.

Global trade tensions, new tariffs, and macroeconomic instability could hit memory chipmakers hard. As MS Hwang of Counterpoint Research points out, although AI server demand remains strong and borderless for now, “the real tariff impact on memory resembles an iceberg, with most danger unseen below the surface and still approaching.”

Financial giants like Morgan Stanley also sound a cautious note. Despite SK Hynix’s stunning performance, Morgan Stanley still lists Samsung as their top memory sector pick due to its stronger ability to weather potential downturns, future growth opportunities in HBM, and aggressive share buybacks.

Samsung will reveal its full financials on April 30, and many eyes will be watching for signs of how the company plans to respond.

Big Picture: AI Is Redefining the Semiconductor Landscape

Ultimately, SK Hynix’s rise reflects more than just company strategy — it’s a clear indicator of how AI-specific hardware is becoming a pillar of the tech ecosystem.

Data centers around the world are racing to upgrade their capabilities to support increasingly sophisticated AI models. As a result, AI memory demand is likely to stay robust even if broader economic turbulence lies ahead.

For tech enthusiasts, investors, and AI watchers alike, this marks an exciting new chapter in the semiconductor industry — where innovation, speed, and specialization are the keys to winning.

And for SK Hynix, the future has never looked brighter.