SEOUL, April 9 (Reuters) - SK Hynix ( HXSCF ) overtook

Samsung Electronics ( SSNLF ) for the first time to lead

global revenues for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips in

the first quarter of this year, according to market researcher

Counterpoint Research.

South Korea's SK Hynix ( HXSCF ), which has been the world's

second-largest memory chip maker behind cross-town rival Samsung

Electronics ( SSNLF ), held a 36% share of the DRAM memory chip market,

followed by Samsung with 34% and Micron with 25%,

Counterpoint Research said in a report.

DRAM memory chips are widely used in smartphones and

PCs.

SK Hynix ( HXSCF ) has been leading a global race to meet

explosive demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips that aid

in the processing of vast amounts of data to train AI technology

and are crucial for Nvidia's ( NVDA ) chipsets, as it has been a

main HBM chip supplier to Nvidia ( NVDA ).

However, Samsung has lagged behind SK Hynix ( HXSCF ) in supplying

HBM chips to AI leader Nvidia ( NVDA ).

At a

shareholder meeting

in March, Samsung executives apologised for poor stock

prices stemming from its late response to the booming AI chip

market. They expected chip earnings to recover in the second

half on demand for smartphones and data centres, and as the

company aims to supply its improved HBM3E 12-layer chips to

Nvidia ( NVDA ) in the middle of this year.

SK Hynix ( HXSCF ) said last month that it has

shipped its HBM4 12-layer chips to customers

, adding that the company aims to complete preparations for

mass production of 12-layer HBM4 products within the second half

of this year.