According to Nikkei Asia, thanks to strong growth in the memory business, Samsung Electronics surpassed Intel in revenue last year and became the world's largest chip seller. This ranking does not include pure foundries.

The report pointed out that Samsung Semiconductor's revenue soared 31.6% in 2021 to $75.9 billion. Intel, which fell to No. 2, grew revenue by just 0.5% to $73.1 billion.

A surge in shipments of personal computers and other electronics, as well as products in servers, boosted sales at Samsung's memory business by 34.2% last year.

Semiconductor prices rose as end-product makers built up chip inventories ahead of expanding production. Market prices are stabilizing as inventories dwindle, but chip demand for servers remains strong.

The report also pointed out that the entire semiconductor market grew by 25.1% to $583.5 billion last year, and sales exceeded $500 billion for the first time.