Rumor
OpenAI memory supply agreement with Samsung and SK Hynix limited to letter of intent with minimal 2026 volumes
Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 09:11 AM
OpenAI reportedly signed only a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Samsung and SK Hynix for memory supply, with actual delivery volumes for 2026 expected to be minimal. Recent memory spot price volatility is attributed to Chinese stockists offloading inventory rather than a mass order cancellation by OpenAI, leaving long-term contract prices unaffected.
Context
Recent reports clarify that the high-profile partnership between OpenAI, Samsung Electronics, and SK Hynix is currently limited to a Letter of Intent (LOI) rather than a binding high-volume purchase order. While initial speculation suggested OpenAI had claimed up to 40% of global DRAM supply for its Stargate and Project Titan initiatives, actual 2026 supply volumes are expected to be minimal. The volatility in memory spot prices, previously blamed on OpenAI order cancellations, is instead attributed to Chinese buyers offloading hoarded stock into a weakening secondary market.
Despite the limited near-term volume, the strategic roadmap for OpenAI’s custom silicon remains ambitious. The company is targeting mass production of its first in-house AI chip in the second half of 2026 using TSMC’s 3nm process and Samsung’s HBM4 technology. With projected long-term demand reaching 900,000 DRAM wafers per month, these LOIs establish the foundational supply chain for OpenAI to eventually reduce its multi-billion dollar reliance on Nvidia infrastructure.
Sources (12)
Samsung and OpenAI Announce Strategic Partnership To Accelerate Advancements in Global AI Infrastructure – Samsung Global NewsroomSamsung and SK join OpenAI’s Stargate initiative to advance global AI infrastructure | OpenAIModel Spec (2025/12/18) - OpenAISamsung, SK form AI infrastructure partnership with OpenAI - The Korea TimesChinese Memory Penetrates Global PC Supply ChainsOpenAI to launch its first AI chip in 2026 with Broadcom, FT reports | Reuters2024–present global memory supply shortage - Wikipedia[Insights] Memory Spot Price Update: DRAM Spot Momentum Constrained as March Contracts Hold, DDR4 Weakest
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