Samsung raises 2026 chip capex to ₩76.8 trillion as AI memory demand surges

What happened

The Korean giant raised its 2026 capital spending plan for semiconductors to 76.8 trillion won, and it plans to spend even more in 2027. The numbers behind the spending spree Samsung announced the revised guidance on October 29, 2026. Samsung is an electronics company based in Suwon.

Total capital investment for the year is now expected to reach 84.4 trillion won, or approximately $59–63 billion. Its 76.8 trillion won allocation marks a 62% increase over the previous year.

Samsung Display, by comparison, gets 3.9 trillion won. Samsung posted a record operating profit of 107.4 trillion won for the third quarter.

The semiconductor unit alone contributed 106.5 trillion won of that total. Samsung's increased chip investment highlights the critical role of AI in driving semiconductor demand, potentially reshaping global tech dynamics.

The move comes as demand for AI memory chips keeps outrunning what factories can supply. The lion’s share goes to the Device Solutions division, Samsung’s semiconductor arm.

Add your holdings to find related stories in Pro.