In a surprising turn of events, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series will not primarily utilize its own DRAM technology. Instead, up to 50% of the initial units are set to be outfitted with LPDDR5X memory chips sourced from Micron, despite Samsung’s reputation as a leading memory chip manufacturer.
Samsung’s Strategy: Prioritizing Apple and Employing Micron for Galaxy S26 Memory Needs
As reported by DealSite, Samsung’s MX division has strategically opted for Micron’s LPDDR5X memory for half of the initial Galaxy S26 production batches. This decision reflects broader supply chain dynamics and Samsung’s current focus on maximizing revenue from its DRAM offerings, particularly to Apple.
Recent developments indicate that Samsung’s DS division has started directing its mobile DRAM production toward Apple, even after implementing a significant 100% price increase. It appears that this shift leaves little room for discounts, putting additional pressure on Samsung’s mobile division.
Currently, the MX division is deploying a balanced sourcing strategy, with an equal split between Samsung’s own LPDDR5X chips and those from Micron, although specifics for subsequent production volumes remain undetermined. This uncertainty implies that there is no established primary vendor for the foreseeable future.
Contrast this situation with last year, when the Galaxy S25 series relied completely on Micron’s DRAM due to its superior performance at the time. As Samsung’s DS division improved its production quality and yield, a new balance was struck, favoring a 60/40 sourcing split in favor of Samsung’s own products.
The current landscape, however, exhibits the significant pricing power wielded by memory manufacturers. According to a recent TrendForce analysis, the contribution of memory costs to a smartphone’s bill of materials (BOM) has surged from the historical range of 10% to 15%, now approaching 30% to 40% and quickly closing in on 50%.This shift underscores the increasing significance of memory components in overall device pricing.
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