Samsung Quotes HBM4 at Roughly Triple HBM3E Pricing as Annual Talks Begin

On October 2, 2026, Wall Street CN, citing South Korean financial outlet Maeil Business Newspaper, reported that Samsung Electronics has set its supply quote for next year's HBM4 at the mid-to-high $4 per Gb range and has begun annual contract negotiations with major customers. That compares with roughly $1.50 per Gb for the current flagship HBM3E, making the new quote more than three times the older price. The pricing signal, as the report frames it, reflects Samsung's confidence in HBM4's performance advantage as the company pushes back toward the front of the high-bandwidth memory market.

Citing semiconductor industry sources, the report said Samsung's HBM4 has consistently achieved a data transfer rate of 11.7 Gbps, with peaks of 13 Gbps, which it described as the highest level in the industry. Samsung's strategy, according to the report, is to convert high-spec, stable supply capability directly into a price premium and to reshape its pricing power in the HBM market through performance differentiation. The report also noted that SK hynix had previously led this market.

Market research firm TrendForce forecasts that HBM average selling prices will rise 121% year over year next year, driven by both a higher share for HBM4 and supply shortages. Micron likewise mentioned the possibility of a substantial HBM price increase next year during a recent earnings call.