Samsung Electronics, SK hynix Boost R&D Spending by Up to 68% in Q1 - thelec.net

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix significantly increased their R&D spending by up to 68% in the first quarter, underscoring the intense competition and technological demands within the global semicond... Read original →

Samsung and SK Hynix’s 68% R&D surge isn’t just about AI memory—it’s a strategic bet on sub-3nm scaling, CXL 3.1 interconnects, and advanced packaging. This accelerates demand for next-gen EUV infrastructure and ultra-pure hydrofluoric acid, forcing equipment vendors like Applied Materials to fast-track process modules. Apple’s move to diversify beyond TSMC signals a broader shift: system OEMs are embracing quasi-IDM strategies, fracturing the foundry ecosystem. While Korean firms fortify tech moats, internal labor strife and U.S.-driven supply chain mandates inflate compliance overhead. Over the next 12–24 months, the logic-memory boundary will blur further—CXL-integrated HBM stacks will likely dominate AI servers, but over-concentration on leading-edge nodes risks starving mature-node capacity, triggering structural supply gaps.