Seoul, April 7, 2026 Samsung Electronics announced on Monday it expects a record operating profit of 57.2 billion won ($42.7 billion) for the first quarter of 2026, fueled by soaring demand for chips powering artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The projected operating profit marks an eight-fold increase compared to the 6.69 billion won reported in the same period last year, according to company estimates corroborated by multiple sources. Revenue is also anticipated to jump 68% year-over-year to 133 billion won, underscoring the tech giant's dominance in the global semiconductor market.
AI-Driven Chip Shortages Lift Prices
The surge in profitability is tied to a global shortage of traditional chips used in smartphones and computers, as AI computing centers prioritize high-performance semiconductors. This shift has driven up prices for memory and logic chips, sectors where Samsung holds a leading position.
Industry analysts note that the scramble for AI-capable hardware has reshaped supply chains, with companies like Tesla and other tech firms competing for limited production capacity. "The boom in AI computing centers has led to shortages of traditional chips for smartphones and computers, driving up prices," according to a report from LSEG, citing market trends.
Financial Performance Exceeds Expectations
Samsung's preliminary earnings, released ahead of audited results later this month, far surpassed analyst forecasts. The 57.2 billion won operating profit estimate represents the highest quarterly figure in the company's history, eclipsing previous peaks during the pandemic-era chip boom.