Counterpoint Research said Samsung's share rose to 39% on stronger commodity DRAM pricing and HBM gains, while SK Hynix's HBM-heavy mix and earlier LTAs helped Micron narrow the gap.
Samsung Electronics retained the top spot in the global DRAM market in the second quarter of 2026 with a 39% revenue-based share, according to Counterpoint Research, while Micron closed to within 1 percentage point of SK Hynix in a sign of shifting competitive dynamics among the leading memory makers. Samsung's share rose 1 percentage point from the previous quarter to its highest level since 2024, helped by higher commodity DRAM prices and a larger position in high-bandwidth memory. SK Hynix posted 214% year-over-year revenue growth but its share fell to 26% from 39% a year earlier, while Micron's revenue increased about fivefold to 25%. Counterpoint said SK Hynix's HBM-focused portfolio left it more exposed to year-over-year HBM3E price declines and to long-term supply agreements signed before the memory upcycle at prices below current market levels. China's CXMT ranked fourth with a 7% share and 716% year-over-year revenue growth as domestic demand and capacity expanded. Counterpoint expects HBM price declines to ease from the third quarter as HBM4 shipments ramp, while TrendForce said some suppliers and PC makers have agreed Q3 PC DRAM contract price increases of 15% to 20% from the prior quarter.