Samsung Exits MLC NAND Business, Creating Opportunities for Taiwanese NAND Manufacturers with 382% Revenue Surge

Samsung’s recent decision to exit the low-end NAND and DRAM markets has significantly impacted the semiconductor landscape, particularly benefiting Taiwanese and Chinese manufacturers.

Macronix Experiences Significant Growth in MLC NAND Business Following Samsung’s Exit

In a strategic move, Samsung has shifted its focus from the LPDDR4 and LPDDR4X memory segments to more profitable LPDDR5 and LPDDR5X products, which are particularly in demand in artificial intelligence applications. Additionally, the company has ceased operations in the MLC NAND sector to concentrate on high-end NAND solutions.

This transition has temporarily disrupted entry-level memory markets; however, alternative suppliers have swiftly capitalized on the opportunity. Taiwanese firm Macronix has notably increased its investment in NAND production, leading to substantial revenue growth.

According to a report from Economic Daily News, Macronix’s share of the MLC NAND market surged from 21% to 30% in the first quarter of 2026, representing a remarkable 90% quarter-on-quarter jump and an astonishing 382% increase compared to the same period last year.

Due to Samsung’s discontinuation of MLC NAND Flash production, Macronix’s NAND Flash revenue share surged from 21% to 30% in the first quarter, a 90% increase quarter-on-quarter and a 382% increase year-on-year, while NOR Flash revenue share dropped to 58%.

Economic Daily News

Macronix stands out as a major supplier within the 4Gb to 32Gb segment, as reported by Commercial Times, and this increased demand has also driven up its eMMC revenue by 94% compared to the previous quarter and nearly 40-fold versus the same period last year.

A chart titled 'Legacy Memory EOL: A Structural Windfall for Taiwan's Memory Sector' shows Samsung exiting LPDDR4/LPDDR4X DRAM by 2026 and Nanya Tech benefiting, while Kioxia ends 2D NAND production by 2028. — Image Source: Trend Force

The NAND Flash market continues to grapple with supply shortages, prompting Macronix to raise prices for both SLC NAND and NOR Flash products. Prices for these products are anticipated to double by the second quarter of 2026.

Currently, Macronix is producing 96-layer 3D NAND technology, with 192-layer NAND nearing readiness and over 300 layers in development. Similar to how various companies are adapting to fill the DRAM void left by Samsung, Macronix and its counterparts are poised to fill the NAND gap as market leaders hesitate to reallocate their production capabilities, especially in light of the growing demand for advanced memory solutions driven by AI applications.

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