SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – The brand value of Samsung Group hit US$97.4 billion in 2026, according to Brand Finance. This represents an 8.9% increase from US$89.4 billion in the previous year. Samsung secured the eighth spot among the world’s most valuable technology brands, dropping one position from 2025. It remains the only South Korean brand within the sector’s top 10 globally. The result continues to place Samsung among a group largely led by major US technology firms.
The report estimates the total value of the top 100 technology brands worldwide at US$3.7 trillion, marking a 15% rise from US$3.2 trillion in 2025. US-based companies comprise over 75% of this total, with 46 firms on the list. Apple, Microsoft, and Google held the top three rankings. Nvidia advanced three positions to fifth place after its brand value more than doubled to US$184.3 billion. Despite Samsung’s increased valuation, Nvidia’s rise caused Samsung to drop one spot in the rankings.
South Korea’s five leading tech brands accumulated a combined worth of US$135.3 billion, an 8% growth from the previous year. This total places South Korea third globally, behind the US and China. SK hynix grew 15% to US$15.8 billion, ranking 28th. LG declined 9% to US$9.6 billion, ranking 44th. Naver increased 11% to US$3.7 billion, while Coupang grew 10% to US$8.8 billion.
Semiconductor Dominance Bolsters Brand Valuation
Brand Finance attributes Samsung’s growth to its strong position in memory chips and semiconductors. The report highlights the demand for advanced memory products as a key factor supporting the brand’s valuation. Samsung’s operations span semiconductors, smartphones, TVs, home appliances, and digital services, giving it a significant presence in both consumer and enterprise technology markets. The US$97.4 billion valuation pertains specifically to the Samsung technology brand, not its market capitalization, revenues, or physical assets.
Brand Finance applies a royalty relief method aligned with ISO 10668 standards. This approach involves evaluating marketing investments, stakeholder equity, and business performance. Analysts then determine a royalty rate based on brand strength and industry norms, which is applied to forecast revenue related to the brand. Discounting after-tax earnings yields the present value, representing the potential economic benefit of licensing the brand on the open market.
Technology Sector Maintains Leadership in Global Brand Rankings
In 2026, technology firms continued their dominance in the broader global brand rankings. Seven of the top 10 brands in the Brand Finance Global 500 belong to the tech sector. Apple remained the most valuable brand worldwide, with Microsoft in second place. The Technology 100 also showed significant growth among AI infrastructure and semiconductor companies, with Broadcom and AMD among the fastest-growing brands after Nvidia. Overall, Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon account for nearly 70% of the total value within the ranking.
Samsung’s valuation represents approximately 72% of the combined worth of South Korea’s five ranked tech brands. Its US$97.4 billion value surpasses the total US$37.9 billion combined valuation of SK hynix, LG, Coupang, and Naver. As a result, Samsung’s top-10 spot continues to be a key component of South Korea’s third-place position globally in technology brand value. Despite dropping one place in the global tech rankings, Samsung experienced another annual rise in 2026.