Samsung Electronics reported a first-quarter operating profit of approximately 6.6 trillion won (around 4.1 billion euros) for the period from January to March 2025, exceeding market expectations despite a slight decline from the previous year.

This profit was driven by robust sales of memory chips and smartphones, as customers stockpiled inventory in anticipation of U.S. tariffs on semiconductors.

Looking ahead, analysts predict a weaker second quarter due to the stockpiling that occurred in the first quarter.

Sales of conventional memory chips exceeded forecasts, especially for consumer devices and AI applications, driven by concerns over inventory.

Experts suggest that the strong performance may be partly due to customers accelerating purchases in response to anticipated price increases from these tariffs.

The Galaxy S25 smartphone series, launched in January 2025, features advanced AI enhancements that significantly boosted sales, particularly in the North American market.

Samsung is undergoing a management transition following the recent death of co-CEO Han Jong-Hee, with final sales figures expected to be released at the end of April 2025.

The 25% tariff on South Korean goods, announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump, took effect on April 8, 2025, prompting Samsung to increase chip shipments.

As a leading player in the global smartphone market, Samsung benefitted from this rush in purchases ahead of potential price hikes.

A survey by South Korea's Yonhap News Agency indicated that Samsung's performance surpassed expert forecasts by over 33%, contrasting with prior estimates predicting a decline.

The reported figures are preliminary estimates, with more detailed results anticipated by the end of April 2025.

The company estimates that sales for the first quarter reached about 79 trillion won (approximately 48.9 billion euros), reflecting a significant increase from the same period last year.