In a notable shift in the global tech landscape, Huawei has overtaken Samsung Electronics in research and development (R&D) investment, driven by a strong focus on AI and semiconductor technologies.
According to official data, Huawei spent 192.3 billion yuan (42.4 trillion Korean won) on R&D last year, around 5 trillion Korean won more than Samsung’s expenditure during the same period.
The scale of investment highlights Huawei’s aggressive push, with reports suggesting the company is spending over 100+ billion Korean won daily on R&D. This marks a significant acceleration in its efforts to strengthen capabilities in AI solutions and chipset development.
Samsung had led R&D spending in 2024, particularly in memory chips and AI semiconductors. However, Huawei’s rapid expansion over the past year has widened the investment gap between the two companies.
R&D is increasingly becoming a core driver of competitiveness for Chinese technology firms, especially in a complex and evolving global market.
In terms of workforce, Huawei reported 114,000 full-time R&D personnel as of the end of 2025. This figure is nearly equivalent to the total employee base of Samsung globally, underlining the scale of Huawei’s research operations.
At the company’s 2025 annual financial report conference, Meng Wanzhou reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to innovation.
“Even if it requires certain sacrifices, the company will grow alongside the pioneers of the times. This is not merely a slogan, but a testament to Huawei’s unwavering commitment to securing a leading position in future technologies.”
The development signals Huawei’s continued focus on building long-term technological leadership through sustained and large-scale R&D investment.
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