Samsung Electronics, during its Q2 2026 earnings conference call, unveiled its core business strategies and bold investment direction aimed at solidifying its position as a leader in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. Demonstrating robust growth with record-breaking performance, Samsung emphasized its focus on future technologies such as AI semiconductors, foundry, and robotics, presenting a blueprint for sustainable growth. This announcement underscores Samsung's strong commitment to proactively respond to the impending technological paradigm shift.
Samsung Electronics is consolidating its technological leadership in the High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) market, which is crucial for the AI era. Expectations are high for its next-generation HBM4 and HBM4E product lines, with HBM4 revenue projected to more than triple in Q3 2026 compared to the previous quarter, exceeding 60% of the total HBM revenue in the second half of the year. This is a critical strategy for transforming into an 'AI total solutions company,' moving beyond being a mere memory manufacturer. Samsung aims to secure an HBM market share equivalent to its overall DRAM market share.
The foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) business is expected to turn profitable in the near future. Samsung plans to proceed with the planned operation of its Taylor Fab 1 in the US in 2026, gradually expanding its 2nm production capacity. Furthermore, to proactively address increasing customer demand, the company plans to commence construction of Taylor Fab 2 by the end of 2026, targeting mass production in 2030. In response to growing customer inquiries for 1.4nm processes, additional fab acquisition is also under consideration. This represents a strategic investment to meet the strong demand in AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) sectors.
Samsung Electronics views robotics, alongside AI, as a key business to lead the future. The company plans to secure future growth engines by continuously expanding investments in and M&A with promising overseas robotics startups. To this end, the dedicated robotics division, the 'Robotics Experience (RX) Business Promotion Team,' has been elevated to report directly to the DX division head, consolidating robotics capabilities and driving comprehensive innovation from strategy formulation to product development.
To secure future technological competitiveness, Samsung Electronics made facility investments totaling 16.8 trillion KRW in Q2 2026 alone, with 15.4 trillion KRW concentrated in the Semiconductor (DS) division. Investments are particularly focused on expanding infrastructure at the new Pyeongtaek fab and ensuring the timely operation of the US Taylor fab. Additionally, a large-scale domestic investment plan of 2,655 trillion KRW was announced to proactively respond to the AI era's technological paradigm shifts. R&D expenses in Q2 reached a record high of 16 trillion KRW, demonstrating a strong commitment to innovation.
In this conference call, Samsung Electronics expressed its strong determination to lead the upcoming AI era through strengthening its AI semiconductor technological leadership, accelerating the profitability of its foundry business, securing robotics as a future growth engine, and driving company-wide large-scale investments and R&D innovation. These strategic directions will play a crucial role in Samsung Electronics achieving sustainable growth and establishing itself as a key company leading the future in the global technology market. For more detailed information, please refer to the Samsung Electronics Newsroom and Samsung Semiconductor Newsroom. For the latest corporate analysis, please consult Chosun Biz.
Q1: What were the main factors driving Samsung Electronics' Q2 performance?
A1: Record-breaking performance was achieved due to a significant increase in demand for AI-related memory products, server SSDs, and advanced foundry services.
Q2: What is Samsung Electronics' strategy in the HBM sector?
A2: We are strengthening technological leadership in next-generation high bandwidth memory, such as HBM4 and HBM4E, and are pursuing a transformation into an 'AI total solutions company,' projecting that HBM4 will account for over 60% of HBM revenue in the second half of 2026.
Q3: What is the future outlook for the foundry business?
A3: We anticipate turning profitable in the near future and plan to actively expand advanced process capacity, including preparations for 2nm mass production at Taylor Fab 1 in the US, commencing construction of Taylor Fab 2, and considering the acquisition of additional fabs for 1.4nm processes.
Q4: Which businesses were emphasized as Samsung Electronics' future growth engines?
A4: In addition to AI semiconductors, the robotics business was highlighted as a key future growth engine. The company plans to foster this business through increased investments in and M&A with promising overseas robotics startups, as well as strengthening the capabilities of its dedicated organization.
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