Samsung Electronics will begin production of its next-generation high-bandwidth memory chips, known as HBM4, next month, with supplies expected to go to Nvidia, according to sources familiar with the plan.
This is an important step for Samsung as it tries to close the gap with SK Hynix, its long-time competition and the top supplier of advanced memory used in Nvidia’s accelerators.
Delays in Samsung’s earlier HBM programmes weighed heavily on its earnings and share price last year. This time, the company is moving faster and with more at stake.
The initial production run is tied to months of qualification testing with Nvidia and AMD. Samsung cleared those tests late last year, opening the door to commercial shipments in early 2026. The company has not disclosed volumes, and it is unclear how quickly supply will scale.
Samsung declined to comment on the development. Nvidia did not respond to requests for comment.
Following the development, Samsung shares rose more than 2% in early trading, while SK Hynix shares slipped by nearly 3%. Investors are reading this as a sign that competition in the HBM market is about to increase.
HBM4 is the sixth generation of high-bandwidth memory, designed to handle the heavy data loads of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.
Compared with HBM3E, it gives higher bandwidth while using less power. That combination is important as chipmakers push systems harder to train and run ever-larger models.
For Nvidia, memory supply is now a strategic issue, not just a technical one. The company’s next platform, Vera Rubin, is already in production and will rely on HBM4 to achieve its performance targets.
As Nvidia’s chief executive Jensen Huang said earlier this month, the platform is in “full production,” ahead of a launch later this year.
Until now, SK Hynix has carried most of that burden. It supplies the bulk of the HBM used in Nvidia’s current accelerators and has already locked in supply talks with major customers for next year.
The company is also expanding capacity, with plans to start deploying wafers into its new M15X factory in Cheongju early next month. It has not said whether HBM4 will be part of that first output.
Micron is also pushing into the space, adding pressure to an already tight market. Demand for high-bandwidth memory is surging as data centres scale up, and analysts expect the market to grow sharply over the next few years.
Samsung’s entry into HBM4 production changes the balance. It gives Nvidia and AMD another qualified supplier, reduces the risk of shortages, and may help cool pricing pressures. It is a chance for Samsung to regain ground in a segment it cannot afford to miss.
Both Samsung and SK Hynix are due to report quarterly earnings later this week. Investors will be listening for any detail on HBM4 orders, production timelines and customer commitments.
