Memory Chips Carried Samsung's Record Quarter While Its Mobile Unit Posted a Loss

Samsung's record third quarter came almost entirely from its chip division. Device Solutions made KRW 106.5 trillion of the group's KRW 107.4 trillion operating profit. The MX and Networks unit, which includes the phone business, posted an operating loss of KRW 0.6 trillion in the same quarter. Those figures come from Samsung's results released on October 29, 2026.

Where the rest of the profit sits

The four lines in the table add up to KRW 106.8 trillion. The remaining KRW 0.6 trillion of the group total comes from other businesses. Samsung's release gives the group figure as KRW 107.4 trillion.

Why memory matters to phone buyers

Memory chips are a major part of a phone's parts cost. When DRAM and NAND prices rise, phone makers pay more for every device they build. Samsung's own figures show the same pattern. Chip profit is at a record while the mobile unit reports higher costs and lower earnings than a year ago.

The mobile unit's plan

Samsung says the MX business will push its flagships through the year end shopping season. It also plans efficiency improvements across all business processes to reduce profit risk. Its 2027 plan focuses on flagship phones and new hardware and form factor innovation.

Our view

A chip business can carry a group through a weak year for phones, but buyers feel the other side. If memory costs stay high, phone makers will need to protect margins through pricing, storage choices and the mix of models they sell. Expect premium models to get more of the focus.