Journalist

Jin-young Park
  • Samsung Electronics says Q1 chip profit hit 53.7 trillion won; HBM sales to triple in 2026
    Samsung Electronics says Q1 chip profit hit 53.7 trillion won; HBM sales to triple in 2026 Samsung Electronics said its semiconductor business generated about 54 trillion won in operating profit in the first quarter, far exceeding the company’s total operating profit for all of last year. In its final earnings release on Wednesday, Samsung said its Device Solutions (DS) division posted revenue of 81.7 trillion won and operating profit of 53.7 trillion won. Results surged as the spread of artificial intelligence boosted demand for high-value memory chips and prices rose. Revenue from its finished-goods businesses totaled 52.7 trillion won, with operating profit of 3 trillion won. The Mobile eXperience (MX) unit grew on stronger flagship sales, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but profit gains were limited by higher costs and tariff burdens. Samsung said the widening gap between business units is likely to persist. It expects the semiconductor business to continue leading companywide results this year as memory prices keep rising and supply-demand imbalances deepen. The company also expects high-bandwidth memory (HBM) sales to climb sharply. On a first-quarter earnings conference call, Samsung said, “The situation where memory supply fails to keep up with demand is expected to continue into next year,” adding that the supply gap versus demand next year could widen further than this year even on those demand drivers alone. Samsung said it expects HBM sales this year to rise to more than three times last year’s level. It said HBM4 began mass-production shipments in February, the first in the world, and capacity expansion is proceeding as planned, with supply set to ramp up in the second half. Samsung added that HBM4 revenue is expected to exceed half of total HBM revenue starting in the third quarter and to account for a majority of full-year HBM sales. By contrast, Samsung said profitability at its Device eXperience (DX) division — which includes mobile, home appliances and TVs — is likely to weaken. “Due to factors such as rising component costs, a year-on-year decline in profitability for the MX business is unavoidable,” the company said. It added that securing performance and profitability in the TV market this year will be difficult amid higher raw material prices and an uncertain external business environment. Samsung said it plans a broader reshaping of its DX business under a “select and focus” strategy. It said it has withdrawn from sales in China’s TV and home-appliance markets and is reviewing outsourcing production for some low-margin appliance product lines. Samsung said it will pursue “fundamental improvements” through cost reductions, structural efficiency and stronger long-term organizational competitiveness, and will also focus on securing future growth engines through mergers and acquisitions. Samsung also said it will significantly increase semiconductor-related facility investment to meet AI-driven demand. “With continued AI demand this year, capex is expected to increase to a considerable level compared with last year,” it said, adding it will expand early-stage R&D investment in next-generation processes and core technologies to secure technology leadership. Samsung said memory investment fell from the previous quarter after it front-loaded spending late last year, including adding new cleanroom space at its Pyeongtaek campus, but investment is expected to rise this year as equipment is installed in that space, lifting overall capex substantially. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 12:10:45
  • Samsung: No Supply Chain Disruptions Since Middle East War, Freight Cost Risks Rising
    Samsung: No Supply Chain Disruptions Since Middle East War, Freight Cost Risks Rising Samsung Electronics said Thursday that its semiconductor production lines are operating normally and that it has seen no supply chain disruptions since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East. Speaking on a conference call for its 2026 first-quarter earnings release, the company addressed concerns about possible disruptions in supplies of semiconductor raw materials as the conflict drags on. Samsung said it imports process gases from parts of Israel and the Middle East, but has secured safety stock and is responding based on local logistics conditions. It added that risks remain low because it has alternative logistics routes and a diversified supplier base, including partners in the United States and Japan. On power supply, Samsung said it is closely monitoring utility cost trends tied to rising international oil prices and plans to maintain a stable power supply system through close cooperation with the government. The company cautioned, however, that higher oil prices linked to the war are pushing up global sea and air logistics costs, expanding the risk of freight rate increases. To limit the impact, Samsung said it is closely monitoring global inventory levels and optimizing supply chain operations to reduce the cost burden from international transport. It said it is also preparing multiple scenarios in case the war is prolonged, and plans to strengthen its ability to manage volatility while maintaining cost competitiveness and supply capacity through measures such as long-term contracts with logistics firms and fuel-linked freight rates. 2026-04-30 11:33:26
  • Samsung Electronics Says More 2nm Foundry Customers Coming Into View
    Samsung Electronics Says More 2nm Foundry Customers Coming Into View Samsung Electronics said Thursday on its conference call for first-quarter 2026 earnings that its foundry business is in active talks with multiple large artificial intelligence and high-performance computing customers on 2-nanometer cooperation, and that visible results with some customers are expected in the near term. The company also said HBM4 base dies built on its 4-nanometer process are being recognized for strong performance, helping drive demand for 4-nanometer production. It added that it is actively reviewing ways to expand supply to meet that demand. Samsung said it is also discussing adoption of 2- and 4-nanometer processes with multiple auto robotics customers in the Americas and Greater China. It said it is holding parallel commercialization talks with several major global customers related to silicon photonics, and plans to begin mass production of project assignments with a major optical communications module company starting in the second half of 2026.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 11:28:44
  • Samsung Electronics Says HBM Sales to Triple in 2026, HBM4 to Top Half From Q3
    Samsung Electronics Says HBM Sales to Triple in 2026, HBM4 to Top Half From Q3 Samsung Electronics said Thursday on its conference call for 2026 first-quarter results that it expects its high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, sales this year to surge to more than triple last year’s level. The company said it has secured “industry-leading” product competitiveness based on advanced processes and helped drive an upward revision in HBM4 performance specifications. “As customers adopt it, our outstanding performance is translating into a real premium,” the company said, adding that demand has been concentrated on its products and that all capacity it had prepared is sold out. Samsung said HBM4 sales are expected to expand sharply starting in the third quarter. It said it began mass production shipments of HBM4 in February, the first in the world, and plans to ramp up supply in the second half. HBM4 sales are expected to account for more than half of total HBM sales from the third quarter this year, and to make up a majority of annual HBM sales in 2026, the company said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 11:14:10
  • Samsung Electronics Says It Will Seek to Avoid Disruptions if Union Strikes
    Samsung Electronics Says It Will Seek to Avoid Disruptions if Union Strikes Samsung Electronics said Thursday on its conference call for 2026 first-quarter earnings that its labor union, following a rally at its Pyeongtaek site on April 23, has warned of a general strike from May 21 to June 7. "It is difficult to comment on a strike at this point, but even if a strike occurs, we plan to respond to the fullest extent possible within legal limits through a dedicated organization and response system so that production disruptions do not occur," the company said. Samsung added that, separate from strike preparations, it is responding "in good faith" to labor-management issues in line with laws and procedures and will prioritize talks with the union to reach an amicable resolution. The company also said a provision for performance bonuses is expected to be reflected in the second quarter. Samsung said discussions with the union are ongoing and that specific payment conditions and the amount have not been finalized. As a result, it was not reflected in this quarter’s results, and the company will decide whether to book the provision in the second quarter, and at what level, depending on the outcome of negotiations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 10:55:22
  • Samsung Electronics to Supply First HBM4E Samples in Q2, Company Says
    Samsung Electronics to Supply First HBM4E Samples in Q2, Company Says Samsung Electronics said Thursday on its conference call for its 2026 first-quarter earnings that it plans to supply the first sample products of HBM4E, a high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chip, during the second quarter. The company said it will continue supplying AI-focused DRAM and NAND products, while actively responding to early memory demand for newly launched graphics processing units (GPUs) and central processing units (CPUs) expected in the second half.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 10:47:11
  • Samsung Expects Lower Smartphone Shipments in H2, Higher Revenue on Premium Mix
    Samsung Expects Lower Smartphone Shipments in H2, Higher Revenue on Premium Mix Samsung Electronics said Thursday on its conference call for 2026 first-quarter results that it expects the smartphone market to see lower shipments in the second half as component prices rise, but revenue to increase as sales shift toward higher-end premium models. For tablets, the company forecast declines in both unit volume and revenue, citing cost pressures and reduced promotions. For notebooks and PCs, it said revenue is expected to grow on higher average selling prices, while shipments are likely to fall. Samsung said it will pursue flagship-led growth by strengthening AI features and advancing form-factor innovation. For foldables, it said it will further refine product development to meet a wider range of user needs. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 10:42:41
  • Samsung Electronics expects 2026 capex to rise sharply on sustained AI demand
    Samsung Electronics expects 2026 capex to rise sharply on sustained AI demand Samsung Electronics said Thursday it expects capital spending this year to rise “significantly” from a year earlier as demand for artificial intelligence remains strong. On a conference call for its 2026 first-quarter earnings, the company said it will expand investment in advanced research and development — including next-generation processes and core technologies — to secure technology leadership. It also said it plans to strengthen strategic hubs and secure additional infrastructure to respond to future demand, while closely monitoring fast-changing market conditions and executing investment flexibly. First-quarter facility investment totaled 11.2 trillion won, down 9.2 trillion won from the previous quarter. By division, the Device Solutions (DS) unit accounted for 10.2 trillion won and the display business 600 billion won. Samsung said memory spending fell from the prior quarter because investment was brought forward late last year, including the introduction of new clean rooms at its Pyeongtaek site. It said equipment investment using that space will expand this year, lifting overall capex “significantly.” For foundry operations, Samsung said spending declined from the previous quarter due to a base effect after major infrastructure investment at its Taylor, Texas, fab in the fourth quarter of last year. It said investment to start up Taylor will keep increasing this year beginning in the second quarter. Samsung previously announced plans to invest 110 trillion won this year, including research and development and capital expenditures. Of that total, it is expected to allocate 40 trillion won to R&D and 70 trillion won to capex. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 10:34:39
  • LG Innotek CEO Moon Hyuk-soo, Applied Intuition CEO discuss expanding physical AI ties
    LG Innotek CEO Moon Hyuk-soo, Applied Intuition CEO discuss expanding physical AI ties LG Innotek said April 30 that CEO Moon Hyuk-soo met April 29 with Applied Intuition co-founder and CEO Qasar Younis at the company’s Magok headquarters in Seoul to discuss cooperation in physical AI. The meeting followed the companies’ strategic partnership in autonomous driving announced in March. The two are working to advance autonomous-driving solutions by combining LG Innotek’s sensing modules with Applied Intuition’s software. Attendees included Moon and LG Innotek Chief Technology Officer Min Joon, along with Younis and Will Lin, head of Applied Intuition’s automotive business. Executives reviewed progress in their autonomous-driving collaboration, including joint responses to key customers and promotion plans. They also discussed expanding cooperation in physical AI areas such as robots and drones. Citing LG Innotek’s sensing capabilities and Applied Intuition’s experience building physical AI software across industries including defense, construction and agriculture, the companies said they plan to broaden collaboration in areas such as mobility and robotics. “Applied Intuition is a leader in physical AI trusted by global companies,” Moon said. “Through this cooperation, LG Innotek will leap forward to become a global top-tier player in sensing that leads the physical AI era.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 08:21:19
  • Samsung, LG bring Europe-tested heat pump boilers to South Korea market
    Samsung, LG bring Europe-tested heat pump boilers to South Korea market Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are moving into head-to-head competition in South Korea’s heating market, leaning on heat pump technology already proven in Europe.  Industry officials said Tuesday that LG Electronics plans to launch a new all-in-one heat pump system boiler in South Korea in May. With the outdoor unit integrated into the system, it can be installed without separate refrigerant piping work. The company said installation is also easier because it can use hot-water piping connected to existing boilers. Remote management through the LG ThinQ app is intended to improve convenience.  Samsung Electronics earlier released a Korea-specific “EHS heat pump boiler.” Samsung said its heat pump solution showed a high seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) under a 35-degree outlet-water condition optimized for underfloor heating, and can supply thermal energy about five times the input power. The company said it provides stable heating even in temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees.  Both companies have already posted tangible results in Europe, the largest market and a key base for heat pumps.  Samsung has been strengthening the business with four global product lines tailored to climate-specific requirements across Europe. Its all-in-one product, offered only by Samsung, has been evaluated as maximizing operating efficiency by providing cooling, heating and hot water year-round.  LG recently completed delivery of high-efficiency heat pumps to a new residential complex in the Eindhoven area of the Netherlands. It also won an order for a new housing complex in Ridderkerk and plans to begin supply from the second quarter. In the Netherlands, new homes are legally barred from connecting to the gas network, making heat pumps effectively essential infrastructure.  In South Korea, wider adoption of heat pump boilers is expected to accelerate starting in 2029. The government recently announced a heat pump rollout program tied to its “2050 carbon neutrality” goal and plans to expand support to 3.5 million units by 2035. Starting this month, the government is implementing support programs in major local governments including Jeju, South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang, targeting households using coal briquette or kerosene boilers and areas not supplied with city gas. Support per household will cover up to about 70% of purchase and installation costs. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 18:14:29