Samsung Electronics expects 2026 capex to rise sharply on sustained AI demand

Samsung Electronics said Thursday it expects capital spending this year to rise “significantly” from a year earlier as demand for artificial intelligence remains strong.
On a conference call for its 2026 first-quarter earnings, the company said it will expand investment in advanced research and development — including next-generation processes and core technologies — to secure technology leadership.
It also said it plans to strengthen strategic hubs and secure additional infrastructure to respond to future demand, while closely monitoring fast-changing market conditions and executing investment flexibly.
First-quarter facility investment totaled 11.2 trillion won, down 9.2 trillion won from the previous quarter. By division, the Device Solutions (DS) unit accounted for 10.2 trillion won and the display business 600 billion won.
Samsung said memory spending fell from the prior quarter because investment was brought forward late last year, including the introduction of new clean rooms at its Pyeongtaek site. It said equipment investment using that space will expand this year, lifting overall capex “significantly.”
For foundry operations, Samsung said spending declined from the previous quarter due to a base effect after major infrastructure investment at its Taylor, Texas, fab in the fourth quarter of last year. It said investment to start up Taylor will keep increasing this year beginning in the second quarter.
Samsung previously announced plans to invest 110 trillion won this year, including research and development and capital expenditures. Of that total, it is expected to allocate 40 trillion won to R&D and 70 trillion won to capex.