Samsung Electronics posted record third-quarter profit led by semiconductors, while its device division lost money, a sharp split that framed co-CEOs’ calls for stronger technology and product execution.
Samsung’s results release put consolidated revenue at KRW 195.3 trillion for the three months ended Sept. 30, with operating profit of KRW 107.4 trillion. Device Solutions generated KRW 106.5 trillion in operating profit, while Device eXperience posted a KRW 0.8 trillion operating loss.
The company said memory revenue and operating profit each reached quarterly records. It linked the results to demand for AI-focused memory and strong orders from server customers, which supported pricing while production capacity remained tight. CHOSUNBIZ separately reported that higher prices for components, including semiconductors, weighed on Device eXperience.
Samsung’s Oct. 8 estimate put third-quarter operating profit at KRW 107.40 trillion, above the KRW 89.49 trillion recorded in the second quarter. The reported results were in line with that estimate, covered in EconoTimes’ earlier third-quarter outlook.
In employee messages reported Friday, Jun Young-hyun, vice chairman and head of Device Solutions, said the recent earnings improvement did not demonstrate that Samsung had restored its technology competitiveness, Aju Press reported. Jun also cautioned that favorable market conditions could change.
CHOSUNBIZ reported that Roh Tae-moon, president and head of Device eXperience, urged staff to improve product quality, streamline operations, strengthen supply-chain oversight and raise cost competitiveness. Roh identified medical technology and automotive electronics alongside robotics and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) as fields where Samsung could build new business lines.
Samsung expects investment in AI infrastructure to reach a record in 2027. It also expects AI-related demand to outpace available industry supply by a wider margin than in 2026. The Korea Herald reported that the company plans to mark its 57th anniversary Sunday, Nov. 1, without a formal ceremony.
