SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – According to Brand Finance, the brand worth of Samsung Group hit US$97.4 billion in 2026. This represents an increase of 8.9% from US$89.4 billion recorded the previous year. Samsung secured the eighth spot among the world’s most valuable technology brands, dropping one position from 2025. It remains the sole South Korean brand within the sector’s top 10 globally. This outcome keeps Samsung within a group mainly led by major U.S. technology corporations.
The report estimates the combined value of the top 100 technology brands worldwide at US$3.7 trillion, marking a 15% rise from US$3.2 trillion in 2025. Over three-quarters of this total is held by U.S. brands, with 46 companies listed. Apple, Microsoft, and Google continue to occupy the top three positions. Nvidia jumped three spots to fifth place after its brand value more than doubled, reaching US$184.3 billion. Despite Samsung’s valuation growth, its ranking dropped one position due to Nvidia’s rapid ascent.
South Korea’s five leading technology brands combined are valued at US$135.3 billion, an 8% increase from the previous year. This total positions South Korea third globally, behind the US and China. SK hynix experienced a 15% rise to US$15.8 billion and is ranked 28th. LG declined by 9% to US$9.6 billion, placing 44th. Naver grew 11% to US$3.7 billion, while Coupang increased by 10% to US$8.8 billion.
Semiconductor Market Drives Brand Valuation
Brand Finance attributes Samsung’s growth to its strength in memory chips and semiconductors. The report highlights demand for advanced memory solutions as a key factor supporting the brand’s valuation. Samsung’s operations span semiconductors, smartphones, televisions, home appliances, and digital services, giving it a strong presence across both consumer and enterprise technology sectors. The US$97.4 billion figure reflects the valuation of Samsung’s technology brand, not its market capitalization, revenue, or physical assets.
Brand Finance employs a royalty relief valuation method aligned with ISO 10668 standards. The process involves evaluating marketing investments, stakeholder equity, and business performance. Analysts then determine a royalty rate based on the brand’s strength and industry context, applying it to project brand-related revenues and discounting after-tax earnings to present value. This final estimate indicates the potential economic benefit a company could derive from licensing its brand on the open market.
Technology Sector Continues to Lead Global Rankings
In 2026, technology firms maintained their dominance in the broader global brand rankings. Seven of the ten most valuable brands in the Brand Finance Global 500 are from the technology industry. Apple remains the world’s most valuable brand, with Microsoft in second place. The Technology 100 also experienced notable growth among AI infrastructure and semiconductor firms, with Broadcom and AMD following Nvidia as some of the fastest-growing tech brands. Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon together account for nearly 70% of the total value in this ranking.
Samsung’s valuation of US$97.4 billion makes up approximately 72% of the combined US$135.3 billion value of South Korea’s five ranked technology brands. It also surpasses the total US$37.9 billion valuation of SK hynix, LG, Coupang, and Naver. Samsung’s consistent top-10 placement remains central to South Korea’s third-place standing in global technology brand value. Despite slipping one position in the overall global tech ranking, Samsung experienced another year of growth in 2026.