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[News] CXMT Reportedly Ships HBM3E Samples, Eyes Production Within 2 Months Despite 20–30% Yields

What happened

According to a 2026-10-28 report citing Reuters sources, CXMT's HBM3E yields currently stand at just 20% to 30%, well below the approximately 70% achieved by SK hynix. CXMT has reportedly delivered HBM3E samples to several domestic AI chip designers and expects to begin limited production within the next two months (planned, not yet implemented). It has provided customers with two versions: a standard design and a revised version incorporating changes aimed at improving manufacturing yields. Because a significant portion of chips must be discarded or reworked, low yields are expected to make CXMT's HBM3E more expensive to produce than comparable products from overseas competitors. CXMT reportedly began developing HBM technology internally as early as 2024. Testing cited by Reuters showed CXMT's HBM3E performed closer to SK hynix's previous-generation HBM3 than to its HBM3E, highlighting the technological gap with SK hynix, Samsung Electronics, and Micron. The report also notes China's shortage of advanced AI memory: Reuters noted in September that Huawei, Cambricon, MetaX, and Iluvatar CoreX had reportedly raised prices for current and next-generation AI chips by 20% to 50%, and Chinese chipmakers have increasingly relied on costly grey-market HBM supplies following tighter U.S. export restrictions. Per Seoul Economic Daily in September, citing The Information, Alibaba's chip design unit T-Head and Cambricon Technology were reportedly testing the memory; if development proceeds as planned, products incorporating CXMT's HBM3E could reach the market as early as 2027. Per Southern Metropolis Daily, CXMT management did not directly address the technology at a September investor briefing, saying only it would continue developing products and processes according to its existing roadmap; an analyst noted it remained unclear whether samples could meet domestic customers' requirements or how soon stable, large-scale production could be achieved.