Samsung R&D spending reached 27.3 trillion Korean won (roughly $19 billion) from January through June 2026, according to a regulatory filing made in South Korea. The filing says the amount could likely end up being higher by December.
The 27.3 trillion won figure represents a 51.1% increase from the same period last year and marks a record high for a six-month span.
Samsung R&D and capital investment
R&D expenditure is reported separately from the company’s facility investments. The filings show that more than $19 billion were also spent on facility investment in the first half of this year. Samsung highlighted that those facility investments were necessary to develop the critical infrastructure required for long-term growth in key sectors, such as semiconductors and displays.
Samsung’s dominance in memory chips, consumer electronics and smartphones rests on sustained innovation, research and development — activities that, the filings indicate, continue to demand substantial funding.
