Samsung Reports Q1 Profit Growth Amid Trade Concerns, Chip Weakness

Samsung Electronics reported a modest increase in first-quarter operating profit and a 10% rise in revenue, driven by strong sales of its Galaxy smartphones and memory chips, particularly amid concerns over U.S. tariffs and global trade tensions. The company’s mobile division saw significant gains due to the launch of its AI-powered Galaxy S25 series, while the memory chip business experienced a sharp decline in profit, attributed to reduced demand for high-bandwidth memory chips and export controls affecting AI-related products. Despite the overall profit growth, Samsung executives warned of heightened uncertainty for the rest of the year, citing ongoing geopolitical tensions, tariff risks, and customers deferring data center projects. Looking ahead, Samsung plans to strengthen its position in the high-value server market and expand its AI TV and digital appliance offerings as part of its strategy to navigate a volatile trade environment.