Samsung Electronics Leads Semiconductor Sales Surpassing Intel, Apple Ranks Second in Purchases

Samsung Electronics Holds 7.8% Market Share, Second to Apple
High Sales and Purchases... Spending Up 28.5% Year-on-Year
Increased Spending Due to Semiconductor Shortage and Rising Costs

Samsung Electronics announced on the 8th that it recorded third-quarter sales of 73 trillion won and an operating profit of 15.7 trillion won. This is the first time quarterly sales have exceeded 70 trillion won. On the same day, employees are seen moving around at Samsung Electronics' Seocho building. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jin-ho] Last year, Samsung Electronics, which surpassed the US-based Intel in global semiconductor sales for the first time in three years, also ranked high in semiconductor purchasing amounts.

According to the industry on the 3rd, in the '2021 Global Semiconductor Customer Top 10 List' announced by global market research firm Gartner, Samsung Electronics ranked second with a 7.8% share, following US-based Apple (11.7%). Samsung Electronics spent $45.775 billion on semiconductor purchases last year, an increase of 28.5% compared to the previous year ($35.622 billion).

Gartner explained that Samsung Electronics' increased spending was influenced by the semiconductor shortage and increased costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Samsung Electronics produces semiconductors, it is a company that purchases and uses many semiconductors in finished products such as smartphones, TVs, and home appliances. According to Gartner, Samsung Electronics increased its memory spending by 34.1% and non-memory chip spending by 23.9% last year.

Samsung Electronics' competitor Apple spent $68.269 billion on semiconductor purchases during the same period, a 26% increase from the previous year ($54.18 billion). This was attributed to the successive success of the 'iPhone 12 and 13' models.

China's Lenovo ($25.283 billion, 32.9%), BBK Electronics ($23.35 billion, 63.8%), US-based Dell ($21.092 billion, 25.4%), Xiaomi ($17.251 billion, 68.2%), and Huawei ($15.382 billion, -32.3%) followed. Among the world's top 10 semiconductor companies, only Huawei, which is under US sanctions, saw a decrease in purchasing amount.

Global semiconductor sales surpassed $500 billion for the first time last year. According to Gartner, global semiconductor sales reached $583.5 billion last year, a 25% increase compared to the previous year. Gartner predicted, "The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digitalization, and the semiconductor sales market will exceed $1 trillion by 2030."

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics recorded sales of 94.16 trillion KRW in the semiconductor sector last year, reclaiming the top global seller position after three years. Intel, which held the top spot for three years, recorded sales of 90.4463 trillion KRW last year, 3.7137 trillion KRW less than Samsung Electronics.

For Samsung Electronics, the increase in memory demand due to the rise in remote work and online classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic positively impacted sales. On the other hand, Intel's main product sales remained flat, resulting in overall sales maintaining a similar level compared to the previous year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.