Three Giants, Each with Its Own Market Value in Recycling
The global memory chip market is an oligopoly of Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, which together hold over 95% of the market share. In the recycling market, chips from these three brands are likewise the most common supply. Yet for chips of identical capacity and specifications, recycling prices can differ by 15%–30% between brands. Understanding residual value differences between brands is the foundation of accurate quoting.
Recycling Price Comparison by Brand for Mainstream Categories (Q3 2025, Reference Price (CNY))
| Category / Spec | Samsung | SK Hynix | Micron |
|---|
| DDR4 8GB dies | 18–25 | 16–22 | 17–23 |
| DDR5 16GB dies | 45–60 | 48–65 | 43–58 |
| eMMC 64GB | 8–12 | 7–10 | 7–11 |
| Enterprise SSD 3.84TB | 1,800–2,600 | 1,900–2,700 | 1,700–2,400 |
Notes: SK Hynix DDR5 prices sit slightly above Samsung's due to tight supply; Micron stands out for value-for-money in enterprise SSDs. Prices fluctuate with market conditions.
Three Reasons Behind Brand Residual Value Differences
- Installed base and versatility: Samsung dies have the widest range of applications and the best compatibility; secondary-market demand is the highest, producing a clear liquidity premium.
- Product line momentum: SK Hynix's dominant position in HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) for AI has lifted its entire brand premium.
- Die quality reputation: Micron enjoys a strong stability reputation in the server and data-center segment, keeping enterprise product recycling prices firm.
Die Grade: A Price Variable More Critical Than Brand
Within the same brand, dies are classified into three quality grades, with huge price gaps:
- Original dies: Genuine OEM dies with complete marking and batch numbers — the highest recycling prices
- Good dies: Dies that passed testing but were sold as downgrades — priced at 70%–85% of original dies
- Ink dies: Defective or salvaged dies — priced at only 50%–60% of original dies
When quoting for recycling, die grade must be distinguished. A Samsung original DDR5 die and an ink die can differ in price by more than 100%. Professional recyclers determine grade by combining markings, batch numbers, and visual inspection.
Advice for Sellers
- Keep original packaging and labels: Complete markings and batch information prove original-die status and command higher quotes
- Sort by brand and by batch: Mixed lots are valued at the lowest grade; proper sorting earns better offers
- Provide a quantity list: Large volumes of original dies are negotiable; scattered single lots are quoted lower
MemoryRecycle's professional team accurately identifies dies from all three major brands across every grade and quotes fairly based on true quality — so good chips are never undervalued.