Samsung Electronics posted KRW 195.3 trillion (about $146 billion) in revenue for the third quarter, an all-time quarterly high and 14% more than in the second quarter. Operating profit reached KRW 107.4 trillion (about $80 billion).
Nearly all of that profit came from one division. Samsung reports that Device Solutions, which houses memory, system LSI and foundry, earned KRW 106.5 trillion on KRW 147.1 trillion in sales. That is 99% of group operating profit at a 72% margin, against 55% for Samsung Electronics as a whole. Outside chips, the quarter was thin: mobile and networks lost KRW 0.6 trillion, TV and appliances lost KRW 0.2 trillion, and Samsung Display made KRW 1.1 trillion. Harman, the audio and automotive unit, improved its earnings, helped by one-off US tariff refunds.
Memory set all-time highs for quarterly revenue and operating profit, which Samsung credits to a product mix focused on AI amid capacity constraints. Strong server demand pushed up market prices across all applications, the company says, and it significantly scaled up HBM4 sales while working to meet demand for server SSDs. In 2027, the memory business expects AI infrastructure capital spending to reach a historic level, with AI-driven demand far exceeding industry supply. The foundry business cites continued 2nm orders from high-performance computing customers, including major hyperscalers, and plans double-digit revenue growth in the fourth quarter. It also expects its new fab in Taylor, Texas, to begin operating in 2027.
Samsung calls itself the world's first tech company to pass KRW 100 trillion (about $75 billion) in quarterly operating profit, a milestone it measures in won. Dollar figures use 1,340 won to the dollar, based on European Central Bank reference rates for Oct. 28. Spending is rising with the profit. Samsung Electronics put KRW 29 trillion (about $22 billion) into capital expenditure during the quarter, KRW 12.2 trillion more than in the second quarter. The chip division took KRW 27.2 trillion of it.
Shareholders get a share too. The third-quarter dividend totals KRW 30 trillion (about $22 billion), paid at the same rate on common and preferred shares. Samsung Electronics estimates full-year shareholder returns at KRW 90 trillion to KRW 110 trillion, with KRW 35 trillion planned or completed. The remaining KRW 55 trillion to KRW 75 trillion will include a substantial share buyback and cancellation program along with cash dividends, with the final amount set at a board meeting in late January 2027.
