The production value of memory chips, including DRAM and NAND flash devices, in Korea hit a new high of KRW13.92 trillion (US$11.8 billion) in the third quarter of 2015, compared to the previous high of KRW13.17 trillion reached in the fourth quarter of 2014, according to Digitimes Research.
The launch of new flagship smartphones by vendors and increased DRAM capacity on individual handsets helped drive shipment growth at the memory sector in Korea, Digitimes Research said.
Sales of memory products at Samsung Electronics totaled KRW9.14 trillion in the third quarter, increasing 7.7% on quarter and 15.3% on year. The figures were also the company's highest quarterly sales for memory chips.
Meanwhile, SK Hynix posted consolidated revenues of KRW4.93 trillion for the third quarter, up 6% sequentially and 14% on year. DRAM and NAND flash bit shipments at SK Hynix rose 11% and 15%, respectively, in the third quarter as compared to a quarter earlier.
For the fourth quarter of 2015, Korea's production value of memory chips is likely to edge down 1% or stay flat as compared to the previous quarter as ASPs of DRAM products are expected to continue to drop in the quarter although the pace of the decline will be rather mild, Digitimes Research estimated.