Thanks to a new report from Counterpoint, we've got an updated look at the global DRAM market as of Q2 2026. In recent years, there's been a seismic shift in the DRAM market due to the AI boom and manufacturing capacity being gobbled up by data centers and the big AI and tech companies. For consumers, it's led to a situation where supply can't meet demand, exacerbated by steep increases in memory prices.
When it comes to global DRAM revenue share, that is the money memory manufacturers are making: the big three have maintained their leadership in Q2 2026. The big three are Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron, and Samsung is the global leader with a sizeable 39% market share. This sees the company return to the top spot after ceding it to SK hynix last year, thanks to the demand for memory, price increases, and the company expanding its HBM segment for AI.
Although its market share dropped, SK hynix takes the second spot with a 26% share, followed closely by Micron with 25%. Perhaps the bigger story is Chinese memory company CXMT's rapid growth over the past year, which has seen it secure an impressive 7% of the global DRAM market.
- Read more: SK hynix reports record Q2 2026 profit, but shares drop after results miss expectations
- Read more: CXMT is considering a second Beijing DRAM fab as it targets Micron-level output by late 2026
- Read more: China's biggest DRAM maker is reportedly moving into NAND flash production to take on Samsung and YMTC
With Micron exiting the consumer memory market by ending its Crucial sub-brand, it's left a sizable gap for a company like CXMT to enter the picture. And with CXMT ramping up its DDR5 and LPDDR5 memory production over the past year, with CXMT LPDDR6 and HBM on the horizon, the company's rapid growth is expected to continue. To the point where the big three are expected to become the big four.
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"If CXMT can expand its capacity and capability to meet domestic and overseas demand, starting with PCs and potential Tier-1 international customers, the supplier's market share will balloon and look a lot different a year from now," Counterpoint's Vice President of Research Neil Shah said. "The question is not about 'how' but 'when' CXMT will be able to break into the Big Three Memory Club."
