SK Hynix is falling behind in NAND manufacturing upgrades, according to a report by South Korea’s Chosun Biz cited by ChainCatcher. As of the second quarter this year, about 50% of the company’s NAND output still came from 176-layer products, while Samsung has already completed a shift centered on 236-layer chips. Omdia data cited in the report showed Micron’s 232-layer products accounted for 53% of its mix, while YMTC reached 68%.
The timing matters because NAND prices are rising, and companies with a higher share of advanced-process products are seeing better cost and profit improvement. The report also said SK Hynix, including Solidigm, saw its NAND revenue share drop from 21.4% in the fourth quarter of last year to 16.4% in the first quarter of this year. Over the same period, YMTC’s share climbed from 11.5% to 16.2%.
Chosun Biz said SK Hynix has prioritized equipment spending on DRAM and HBM, while NAND investment has declined for three straight years, falling from $3.5 billion in 2023 to $2.9 billion in 2025. The company is now considering an impairment on older NAND assets to improve costs.
SK Hynix is struggling to narrow its efficiency gap in NAND after falling behind in converting older production lines, according to a Chosun Biz report cited by ChainCatcher.
Advanced-node transition trails peers
As of the second quarter this year, roughly 50% of SK Hynix NAND products were still based on 176-layer technology. Samsung, by comparison, has already completed a transition centered on 236-layer products.
Omdia data cited in the report showed Micron’s 232-layer products accounted for 53% of its mix, while YMTC reached 68%.
Rising NAND prices are magnifying the gap
During an upswing in NAND pricing, companies with a larger share of advanced-process products are in a better position to improve costs and profitability, the report said.
Revenue share falls as YMTC gains
SK Hynix, including Solidigm, saw its NAND revenue share decline from 21.4% in the fourth quarter of last year to 16.4% in the first quarter of this year. YMTC’s share rose from 11.5% to 16.2% over the same period.
NAND investment has been cut for three years
The report said SK Hynix has been prioritizing equipment investment in DRAM and HBM. Its NAND investment has declined for three consecutive years, dropping from $3.5 billion in 2023 to $2.9 billion in 2025, slowing the conversion process.
SK Hynix is currently considering an impairment on aging NAND assets as part of a cost-optimization effort.
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