SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – Samsung Group’s brand worth hit US$97.4 billion in 2026, according to Brand Finance. The number represents an 8.9% increase from US$89.4 billion recorded in the previous year. Samsung was positioned eighth among the world’s most valuable technology brands, dropping one place from 2025. It remains the sole South Korean brand within the top 10 global technology brands. This outcome keeps Samsung among a group primarily led by prominent US technology firms.
The study valued the top 100 global technology brands at a combined US$3.7 trillion, marking a 15% rise from US$3.2 trillion in 2025. US-based companies accounted for over 75% of this total, with 46 firms on the list. Apple, Microsoft, and Google held the top three spots. Nvidia advanced three positions to fifth place after its brand value more than doubled to US$184.3 billion. Despite Samsung’s valuation increase, its ranking slipped one spot due to Nvidia’s significant growth.
South Korea’s five listed technology brands amassed a combined valuation of US$135.3 billion, up 8% from the previous year. This placed 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, falling to 44th. Naver increased 11% to US$3.7 billion, while Coupang grew 10% to US$8.8 billion.
Semiconductor dominance boosts overall valuation
Brand Finance attributed Samsung’s growth to its leadership in memory chips and semiconductors. The report highlighted rising demand for advanced memory solutions as a key factor behind the valuation. Samsung’s operations span semiconductors, smartphones, TVs, home appliances, and digital services, giving it a broad footprint across consumer and enterprise technology sectors. The US$97.4 billion valuation pertains specifically to the Samsung technology brand, not the company’s market capitalization, revenue, or physical assets.
Brand Finance applies a royalty relief valuation method aligned with ISO 10668 standards. This approach begins by evaluating marketing investments, stakeholder equity, and business performance. Analysts then determine a royalty rate based on brand strength and industry context. This rate is used to project brand-related revenue and discount after-tax earnings to their present value. The resulting figure reflects the potential economic benefit a company could gain from licensing its brand commercially.
Technology sector continues to lead global brand rankings
In 2026, technology firms maintained their dominance in the broader global brand rankings. Seven of the top 10 most valuable brands listed in the Brand Finance Global 500 originated from the technology sector. Apple remained the world’s most valuable brand, with Microsoft in second place. The Technology 100 also saw notable growth among AI infrastructure and semiconductor companies. Broadcom and AMD ranked among the fastest-growing tech brands after Nvidia. Together, Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon accounted for nearly 70% of the total value in the ranking.
Samsung represented approximately 72% of the combined value of South Korea’s five ranked tech brands. Its valuation of US$97.4 billion surpassed the total US$37.9 billion combined valuation of SK hynix, LG, Coupang, and Naver. As a result, Samsung’s top-10 position remains a key element of South Korea’s third-place standing in global technology brand value. The 2026 list reflected another yearly increase for Samsung, even as the company dropped one place in the worldwide tech ranking.