Samsung Q1 2025 earnings reached a new high. The company posted KRW 79.14 trillion in revenue for the quarter ending March 31, 2025. This marks its highest-ever quarterly performance. Notably, strong sales of the Galaxy S25 and high-value products across business units fueled this growth.
The Mobile eXperience (MX) division led the performance. It recorded KRW 37 trillion in revenue and KRW 4.3 trillion in operating profit. Thanks to the advanced Galaxy AI features in the Galaxy S25, the business achieved double-digit profitability. In Q2 2025, Samsung plans to launch the Galaxy S25 Edge. Additionally, it will expand its AI smartphone lineup by introducing “Awesome Intelligence” to the Galaxy A series. Later in the year, Samsung will release new foldables, XR devices, and AI-powered ecosystem products focused on health and connectivity.
Meanwhile, the semiconductor segment posted solid results. The Device Solutions (DS) Division earned KRW 25.1 trillion in revenue and KRW 1.1 trillion in profit. Although lower HBM sales and pricing pressures affected Q1, Samsung expects a rebound in Q2. Specifically, strong demand for AI servers and the rollout of HBM3E 12H products should drive recovery. Moreover, the company is accelerating its shift to 8th Generation V-NAND and increasing supply of high-density DDR5 modules.
The System LSI Business also improved. It benefited from higher shipments of logic chips and high-resolution image sensors. Looking ahead, Samsung aims to expand SoC adoption in flagship models. Furthermore, it plans to strengthen its automotive and camera sensor portfolio, capitalizing on industry trends.
In contrast, the Foundry Business faced several challenges. Seasonal mobile demand slowed, and inventory adjustments impacted results. However, Samsung focused on improving its 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) yields. As a result, it secured new AI and HPC orders on 2nm and 4nm nodes. Going forward, the company intends to begin 2nm mass production in H2 2025. At the same time, it will enhance its mature-node specialty process portfolio for U.S. automotive and mobile clients.
Samsung Display Corporation (SDC) posted KRW 5.9 trillion in revenue and KRW 0.5 trillion in profit. Mobile display sales declined quarter-over-quarter due to seasonal factors. On the other hand, the large display business improved with new QD-OLED monitor launches. In Q2, SDC aims to stabilize mobile sales through foldables and meet rising demand for gaming monitors. By H2, it plans to expand in both B2C and B2B monitor markets with innovative and differentiated offerings.
Additionally, the Visual Display and Digital Appliances businesses performed well. Together, they generated KRW 14.5 trillion in revenue and KRW 0.3 trillion in operating profit. The sales of Neo QLEDs, OLEDs, and ultra-large screens (75 inches and above) remained strong. As a result, profitability improved due to higher prices and reduced material costs. Samsung plans to push its 2025 AI TV lineup in Q2. Furthermore, it will leverage its smart features and seasonal demand to expand market share.
Importantly, Samsung Q1 2025 earnings also reflected record R&D investment. The company spent KRW 9 trillion in Q1, a 16% increase compared to last year. This substantial investment underlines its dedication to innovation in AI, next-gen chips, and connected ecosystems.
Despite global trade tensions and slowing economic growth, Samsung remains cautiously optimistic. It expects performance to improve in H2 2025. Key drivers include AI-related demand, product diversification, and strategic execution. Ultimately, Samsung’s strong R&D, aggressive product roadmap, and market resilience position it well for long-term success.
