SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – According to Brand Finance, the valuation of Samsung Group’s brand reached US$97.4 billion in 2026. This represents an 8.9% growth from US$89.4 billion recorded the previous year. Samsung is ranked eighth among the most valuable global technology brands, dropping one position from 2025. It remains the sole South Korean brand in the top 10 of the tech sector worldwide. The result keeps Samsung within a group largely dominated by major US technology firms.
The report estimates the combined worth of the top 100 global technology brands at US$3.7 trillion, reflecting a 15% rise from US$3.2 trillion in 2025. US-based companies make up more than 75% of this total, with 46 firms featured. Apple, Microsoft, and Google occupy 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 increased valuation, its ranking dropped by one as Nvidia’s growth pushed it ahead.
South Korea’s five leading technology brands collectively hold a value of US$135.3 billion, an 8% increase from the previous year. This total places South Korea third globally, behind the US and China. SK hynix saw a 15% rise to US$15.8 billion, ranking 28th. LG experienced a 9% decline, now valued at US$9.6 billion, and is placed 44th. Naver increased its value by 11% to US$3.7 billion, while Coupang grew 10% to US$8.8 billion.
Semiconductor Leadership Bolsters Brand Worth
Brand Finance attributes Samsung’s growth to its dominance in memory chips and semiconductors. The report also highlights the rising demand for advanced memory products as a key factor in supporting the brand’s valuation. Samsung operates in multiple sectors, including semiconductors, smartphones, televisions, home appliances, and digital services. These diversified businesses give the brand a strong presence across both consumer and enterprise technology markets. It is important to note that 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 employs a royalty relief methodology aligned with the ISO 10668 valuation standard. The process begins with evaluating marketing investments, stakeholder equity, and overall business performance. Analysts then determine a royalty rate based on brand strength and industry specifics. This rate is applied to forecast brand-related revenues, and after-tax earnings are discounted to their present value. The resulting estimate reflects the potential economic benefit a company could realize through 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 top 10 most valuable brands in the Brand Finance Global 500 are from the tech industry. Apple remains the world’s most valuable brand, with Microsoft in second place. The Technology 100 also saw significant growth among artificial intelligence infrastructure and semiconductor companies. Broadcom and AMD followed Nvidia as some of the fastest-growing tech brands. Collectively, Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon account for nearly 70% of the total value in the ranking.
Samsung’s valuation makes up about 72% of the combined value of South Korea’s five ranked technology brands. Its US$97.4 billion valuation surpasses the combined US$37.9 billion value of SK hynix, LG, Coupang, and Naver. Samsung’s position within the top 10 remains crucial to South Korea’s third-place standing in global technology brand value. The 2026 ranking shows another annual increase for Samsung, even as the company drops one spot in the worldwide technology ranking.