Global semiconductor revenue hit a record $425 billion (about 2.85 trillion yuan) in the second quarter of 2026, according to a report from UK-based research firm Omdia. The 31.4% sequential growth surpassed the previous record of 29.2% set in the first quarter of the same year, underscoring the accelerating pace of the industry's expansion.
AI reshapes memory market
Omdia attributed the surge to AI demand, which is reshaping how memory suppliers prioritize production. DRAM, NAND, and NOR flash all posted their strongest sequential gains for the period since the firm began tracking the data. Other semiconductor categories also outperformed typical seasonal patterns, with sequential growth exceeding 10% compared to the usual 3% average.
The first half of 2026 saw cumulative semiconductor revenue of $752 billion (about 5.05 trillion yuan), already surpassing the full-year totals for 2024 and earlier years. Omdia forecasts that third-quarter revenue will exceed $500 billion (about 3.36 trillion yuan), which would bring the trailing twelve-month total to $1.25 trillion by the end of September—50% higher than the full-year 2025 figure.
Implications for the tech industry
This growth signals a sustained boom in demand for advanced memory and processing chips, which are critical for AI training and inference systems. For consumers and businesses, the trend could mean continued supply chain pressure for electronics and potential price volatility for devices reliant on memory components.
The report from Omdia, as covered by IThome, highlights that the semiconductor industry's momentum is not limited to memory but spans across multiple categories, indicating broad-based strength in the sector.
