Counterpoint Research recently shared that the demand for DRAM for AI purposes has resulted in a change at the top of manufacturer supply tables in Q2 2026. The company heading the list has gone on to attain a market share not seen since 2024.
The research company noted incessant demand for AI-capable computing infrastructure means the need for DRAM is still outstripping supply, leading it to conclude the market for conventional iterations is set for continued price rises.
Samsung capitalised the most in Q2, displacing SK Hynix which Counterpoint Research noted had stolen a march in the comparable period of 2025.
It estimated Samsung’s market share at 39%, a level it noted the vendor had not achieved since 2024. SK Hynix’ share dropped from 39% to 26%, though the analyst house highlighted its revenue rose 214%. It noted Micron Technology continued to benefit from an “AI boom” commenced in 2023, ranking it third with a 25% market share.
The yin to the yang of rising DRAM prices was a decline in HBM fees, though Counterpoint Research is confident a recovery will begin in 2027.
SK Hynix appears the most exposed to declining HBM prices because it tops shipment and revenue tables for the segment.
Research director MS Hwang noted the company also entered into long-term agreements earlier than the competition, “meaning fixed prices negotiated early during a period of rising memory prices would be lower than current levels”.
On the plus side, Counterpoint Research believes shipments of HBM4 are on the up in the current quarter, fuelled by the release of Nvidia’s “Vera Rubin and AMD’s Instinct MI455X GPU-based racks”.
Source: Mobile World Live
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Source: Tahawul Tech