Samsung Electronics HBM Share to Near 40%, KB Sees 600,000-Won Target

Samsung responded to Apple's $1,999 iPhone Duo launch with a social media campaign highlighting its seven-year lead in foldable smartphones. Samsung's posts, which gained millions of views, teased Apple's late entry and similar design. Apple's foldable iPhone starts at $2,460 in Korea. Counterpoint Research projects Apple to capture 25% of the foldable market, while Samsung is expected to hold 38%.

Samsung Electronics partnered with Mistral AI to enhance its semiconductor capabilities using AI. The agreement includes integrating Mistral's AI services into Samsung's operations. Samsung also led Mistral's Series D funding round, securing a strategic equity stake. The collaboration aims to improve semiconductor design, manufacturing, and data analysis, with a focus on security and flexibility.

Samsung is promoting its foldable phones to counter Apple's new iPhone Duo, priced at $1,999, which mimics Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 design. Samsung mocks Apple's innovation, while analysts expect Apple to gain 25% market share, pressuring Samsung's 38% lead. Samsung highlights its experience and global distribution.

ASML is expanding High-NA EUV collaborations with Samsung and Intel as AI-driven chip demand increases. Intel has already integrated High-NA into production, while Samsung plans to use the technology in DRAM manufacturing by 2028. ASML reports technical progress, but adoption timing varies by customer.

Samsung unveiled its latest foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip8, featuring advanced AI tools and larger displays. Samsung Display will exclusively supply OLED screens for Apple's first foldable iPhone, priced at $2,000, marking Apple's entry into the foldable market.

South Korea's stock market volatility tripled to 4.1% in 2023, the highest among major markets, driven by Samsung and SK Hynix, which accounted for 99% of gains and 69.3% of declines. The Bank of Korea attributed this to heavy reliance on semiconductor stocks and increased leveraged ETF investments. The central bank will continue monitoring the situation.