Micron closes in on No. 2 spot in DRAM market as AI demand reshapes memory chip rankings

Micron Technology is breathing down SK Hynix’s neck. According to Counterpoint Research data for Q2 2026, the Idaho-based chipmaker now holds roughly 24-25% of the global DRAM market, just one percentage point behind SK Hynix’s 25-26% share. Samsung Electronics remains comfortably on top at 38-39%, but the real story is the narrowing gap between the second and third place competitors in a market that has exploded in size. Micron’s revenue share climbed from 22% in the prior quarter. That kind of quarter-over-quarter jump doesn’t happen because of good vibes. It happens because of AI. The numbers behind the surge The total DRAM market hit $154.73B in revenue for Q2 2026, a staggering 59.5% increase from the previous quarter. Year-over-year growth has been even more dramatic, with some players posting triple-digit percentage gains. This isn’t a gentle tailwind. It’s a demand shock driven by AI server infrastructure that has outpaced supply and kept contract prices elevated. Micron’s revenue reached approximately $36B in the quarter, up 65.5% from the prior period and roughly fivefold compared to a year earlier. Samsung posted about $60.98B, a 63.4% quarterly increase. SK Hynix came i...