Counterpoint Research: AI demand reshapes the DRAM market pattern in the second quarter of 2026 Samsung returns to the top of the list Micron narrows the gap

The Zhitong Finance App learned that according to the latest global storage tracking report released by Counterpoint Research, Samsung returned to number one in the global DRAM market with 39% market share in the second quarter of 2026, and the market share returned to the 2024 level. In contrast, although SK Hynix's quarterly revenue increased by 214% year over year, its market share fell from 39% in the second quarter of 2025 to 26% in the second quarter of 2026. As one of the world's top three storage manufacturers, Micron also achieved good quarterly results, and almost competed with SK Hynix for the second position with a 25% market share. Since the rise of the AI wave in the second half of 2023, Micron has maintained a strong growth momentum.

As the popularity of AI continues to drive the deployment of advanced computing infrastructure, demand in the DRAM market continues to exceed supply. This not only boosted the demand for traditional DRAM used in CPUs, but also accelerated the application of next-generation high-bandwidth storage (HBM) in GPUs.

Global DRAM revenue market share, second quarter 2026

Source: Counterpoint Research Storage Tracking Report, August 2026

Jeongku Choi, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, said, “Samsung successfully overcame the challenges faced in the past year and achieved a reversal in performance compared to the same period last year. The company is benefiting from strong demand and rising prices for traditional DRAM, while also expanding its share in the HBM sector. Looking ahead, Samsung's profitability is expected to increase further with further price increases expected in the third quarter of 2026.”

In the second quarter of 2026, traditional DRAM prices rose month-on-month, while HBM prices declined year-on-year. The decline in the average price of HBM is particularly evident, mainly due to the reduction in the price of existing HBM3E products and delays in the HBM4 release time. However, as traditional DRAM prices continue to rise, HBM prices are expected to pick up next year.

Ms Hwang, research director at Counterpoint Research, said: “Although SK Hynix hit record highs both month-on-month and year-over-year, Samsung and Micron are squeezing their market share from both ends, resulting in a slower growth rate than competitors.”

Hwang added, “This phenomenon needs to be viewed from two perspectives. First, compared to competitors, SK Hynix accounts for the highest share of HBM shipments and revenue, so the decline in HBM's average price has had a considerable impact on the company. Second, SK Hynix signed a long-term supply agreement (LTA) earlier than its competitors. Long-term agreements usually set upper and lower price limits around the fixed contract price, so during periods of rising storage prices, the fixed price signed earlier is usually lower than the current market price.”

However, as Nvidia Verarubin and AMDINStinctmi455xGPU servers began to be shipped one after another, HBM4 products also began to be released in the third quarter of 2026. The HBM price decline is expected to narrow as the product portfolio gradually shifts to HBM4.

Competition is being further intensified in the booming DRAM market. Neil Shah, vice president of research at Counterpoint Research, said, “We expect Micron's DRAM revenue to increase about fivefold since the second quarter of 2025, making it expected to surpass SK Hynix and rise to second place in the world. Market competition will continue to be affected by factors such as capacity allocation and long-term supply agreement (LTA) pricing mechanisms.”

Changxin Storage (up 716% year over year) and South Asia Technology (up 690% year over year) also performed equally well in the second quarter of 2026. Changxin Storage has become the fastest growing DRAM manufacturer in the world, mainly benefiting from strong demand for traditional DRAM in the Chinese market and continuous expansion of production capacity; South Asia Technology has benefited from improved supply and demand for DDR and LPDDR4/5 products.

Shah added, “What is most noteworthy in the second half of 2026 is how Changxin Storage will use its recent IPO to further expand HBM and LPDDR6 production capacity. If Changxin Storage can expand production capacity to meet domestic and foreign market demand, its market share is expected to increase further, and the market pattern may change accordingly. For Changxin Storage, the question is not 'can' but 'when' it can become one of the world's top three memory manufacturers.”