AI news Nov 9, 2026

Samsung and SK hynix are competing for ASML's EUV tools, each committing 10 trillion to 20 trillion won, according to Dan Nystedt's relay of Chosun Ilbo

The English edition of South Korea's Chosun Ilbo reported on November 8 that Samsung and SK hynix are competing to buy ASML's EUV tools, and Taiwan chip commentator Dan Nystedt relayed the report the same day (Dan Nystedt, 2026-11-08). Our inference: for memory investors and supply-chain teams planning for 2027 and 2028, how fast DRAM capacity grows may depend on who gets ASML tools first, if lead times for critical tools have indeed lengthened as the Chosun Ilbo reports.

Nystedt converts each company's commitment to about US$7.2 billion to US$14.4 billion, with the tools delivered in 2027 and 2028. The same relay notes that SK hynix disclosed an 11.95 trillion won EUV order in March, with delivery through the end of 2027. That is a single order and can't be compared directly with either company's overall commitment. The Chosun Ilbo's original says lead times for critical tools have stretched to as much as twice the previous maximum because of supply shortages (Chosun Ilbo, 2026-11-08); it gives no year for that maximum. ASML's own third-quarter results release of October 14 quotes CEO Christophe Fouquet: "we now expect that our supply as currently planned for both 2027 and 2028 will not fully meet the demand of our customers" (ASML, 2026-10-14).

Not proven yet: the investment sums and lead-time multiple are unconfirmed by ASML or customers How we checked →

Next to watch: how ASML describes 2027 to 2028 EUV supply on its next quarterly earnings call.