Samsung Sets HBM4 Price at Over Three Times HBM3E, Targeting AI Memory Market

Samsung Electronics has reportedly set its HBM4 supply price for next year in the mid-to-high range of $4 per gigabit, more than three times the price of its current HBM3E products, according to South Korean financial media outlet Maeil Business Newspaper on October 2. The company has started annual contract negotiations with major customers.

Industry sources said Samsung's HBM4 has achieved a stable data transfer rate of 11.7 Gbps, with peak speeds of 13 Gbps, the highest level in the industry. Samsung's strategy is to translate its ability to stably supply higher-spec products into price premiums, leveraging performance differentiation to regain pricing power in the HBM market.

Unlike traditional DRAM, HBM is typically supplied through annual long-term contracts. Most contract negotiations for next year's HBM supply have reportedly been completed, with price discussions expected to wrap up this month. TrendForce predicts that the average selling price of HBM will rise 121% next year, driven by a higher share of HBM4 and supply shortages. Micron Technology also mentioned the possibility of significant HBM price increases in its recent earnings call.

Samsung lagged behind SK Hynix in the HBM3E era, as SK Hynix took an early lead by passing Nvidia's qualification and ramping up production faster. In the HBM4 race, Samsung is attempting to redefine competitive dynamics through performance leadership, shifting the market focus from "who can supply" to "whose product is better." Competition between the two South Korean memory giants is expected to intensify significantly next year.