The memory crisis has rewarded Samsung exceptionally well as the Korean titan pocketed an operating profit of 20 trillion won ($13.8 billion) in Q4 2025, with the company estimated to retain its winning streak as it looks to end the year with $69 billion in the bank. While these are exceptional results, Samsung’s Chairman Lee Jae-yong has warned executives not to get complacent with the current results, as this is the last opportunity it has to mount a proper comeback.
A lecture was delivered by Lee Jae-yong, issuing a warning to around 2,000 executives, as just three years ago, Samsung was facing immense struggles as its semiconductor division was in shambles
During a seminar for Samsung Group executives, Korea Joongang Daily reports that Lee Jae-yong made a stern warning to 2,000 executives, informing them against settling for short-term performance gains and requiring efforts that would ensure Samsung’s technological edge. Some key remarks made by Lee’s late father, Lee Kun-hee, were also recalled, including the popular ‘sandwich crisis’ theory. Back in 2007, the former Samsung Group Chairman warned that South Korea’s economy was ‘sandwiched’ between Japan and China, with the former progressing ahead technologically.
Lee Jae-yong also recalled some statements from last year’s seminar, in which he mentioned that Samsung has lost its resilience and called for a ‘do or die’ mindset. To navigate the current challenges, Lee has urged executives to focus on AI-centered management, securing top talent, and generating momentum in innovation. According to a previous report, Samsung is making efforts to ensure that its foundry business becomes profitable in 2027, with its 2nm GAA process slowly picking up steam as the company has formed deals with the likes of Tesla.
The Korean technology behemoth’s foundry operating rate has also improved from 50 percent to 60 percent, and where Samsung’s non-memory division was bleeding 2 trillion won ($1.36 billion) per quarter, the losses have become substantially more controlled at 1 trillion won ($680 million) for Q3 2025 and Q4 2025. Of course, this level of haemorrhaging is nowhere near what Samsung was experiencing in 2023, where the latter’s semiconductor business witnessed a major downturn.
It appears that Samsung plans to slowly build itself up, with the DRAM and NAND flash shortage providing a solid cushion, for now. However, DigiTimes’ Deputy Director has stated that, while the company will benefit from this crisis, it isn’t sufficient to compete with TSMC in the foundry business. Then again, we have witnessed companies mount impressive comebacks previously, like Huawei, so let us update readers for when Samsung’s rise is recorded in the history books.
News Source: Korea Joongang Daily
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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