Samsung, SK Hynix Fall Over 4% Intraday as China's ChangXin Memory Discloses Next-Gen DRAM Technology Advances
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On October 12, South Korean memory chip stocks, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, declined following CXMT’s announcement of key R&D progress in next-generation 4F² DRAM architecture. CXMT plans to launch DDR5 RDIMM server memory by the end of 2026. While CXMT's global DRAM revenue share reached 10% in the second quarter of 2026, the lack of full technical specifications and commercial timelines leaves mass-production execution uncertain. Nevertheless, CXMT's rapid market expansion and technological advancements are intensifying competitive pressures, prompting investors to reassess the long-term positioning of traditional industry leaders.
TradingKey - On October 12, South Korean memory chip stocks fell noticeably during intraday trading. As of press time, Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) dropped by as much as around 4.2% to 252,500 won, while SK Hynix (000660.KS) dropped by as much as around 4.01% to 1,624,000 won. Chinese DRAM maker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) announced progress in the research and development of next-generation memory technology, further heightening market focus on intensifying competition in the global DRAM industry.
Daily stock price chart of Samsung Electronics, Source: TradingView
ChangXin Memory Technologies stated that the company has made key progress in the R&D of next-generation 4F² DRAM memory cell architecture. Compared with the 6F² architecture used in current mainstream commercial DRAM, the 4F² design can integrate more memory cells per unit chip area, improving memory density while enhancing energy efficiency. CXMT adopted a self-developed Vertical Surrounding Gate transistor architecture to shrink individual memory cell area and reduce leakage current.
CXMT President Cao Kanyu stated that the company plans to launch next-generation DDR5 RDIMM server memory products based on related technologies before the end of 2026. Currently, Samsung and SK Hynix are also developing 4F² technology, with SK Hynix having previously released a relevant R&D roadmap, while Samsung is reportedly planning to achieve mass production of sub-10nm DRAM utilizing this architecture by 2028.
CXMT's global DRAM market share has grown rapidly in recent years. Counterpoint data showed that in the second quarter of 2026, CXMT's global DRAM revenue share rose to 10%, up significantly from 4% in the same period last year; during the same period, Samsung accounted for about 38%, SK Hynix for about 25%, and Micron (MU) accounted for about 24%.
However, CXMT has not yet disclosed full technical specifications or a specific mass-production timeline for its next-generation products, so whether this R&D breakthrough can translate into large-scale commercial orders in the server market remains to be seen. In the short term, CXMT's continuous market share expansion and advancement in advanced DRAM technology are prompting investors to reassess the future competitive pressure facing traditional memory makers such as Samsung and SK Hynix.
This content was translated using AI and reviewed for clarity. It is for informational purposes only.
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