Samsung HBM4 Yield Surpasses 80%

According to South Korean media reports, Samsung Electronics has achieved a major milestone in HBM4 production, with its mass-production yield surpassing the 80% “golden yield” threshold in early August, about four months ahead of its original year-end target.

Reports indicate that when Samsung began HBM4 mass production in February, its yield rate was below 60%. After approximately six months of process optimization and manufacturing improvements, the company has increased yield by more than 20 percentage points, demonstrating stronger production stability and providing a foundation for large-scale HBM4 production.

According to data from Counterpoint, SK hynix led the HBM market in the first quarter of this year with an estimated market share of around 58%, while Samsung Electronics and Micron Technology each held approximately 21%. However, Samsung continues to maintain a leading position in the broader DRAM market, with a market share of about 39%.

With HBM4 production efficiency improving, Samsung plans to further expand its high-bandwidth memory business. The company is reportedly expecting HBM4 revenue in the third quarter to grow more than threefold compared with the previous quarter. In the second half of the year, HBM-related revenue is expected to account for more than 60% of Samsung’s total HBM revenue, while the company aims to increase its HBM market share to approximately 38% by the end of the year.

Beyond HBM4, Samsung is also advancing the development of next-generation HBM4E and customized HBM solutions. The company is targeting an HBM4E yield rate of around 70% and plans to launch the product in the first half of next year. Samsung has already provided 12-layer HBM4E samples to customers in May this year for evaluation.

Market analysts expect the rapid growth of AI server demand to shift HBM competition from technology development toward manufacturing capacity and supply capabilities. UBS forecasts that SK hynix will remain the HBM market leader in 2026 with approximately 48% of HBM bit shipment share. However, by 2027, Samsung could overtake SK hynix with an estimated 41% share, becoming the world’s largest HBM supplier for the first time.

As AI computing continues to drive demand for advanced memory solutions, improvements in HBM4 yield and production capacity are expected to play a critical role in determining the competitive landscape of the global semiconductor industry.