In 2012, one of Samsung’s (005930) biggest problems was ridding itself of the “copycat” image Apple branded it with. The company appears to have succeeded. In 2013, Samsung has a new problem — but it’s a much better problem to have. According to a new report from Digitimes, Samsung is selling so many smartphones that its chip division simply can’t build enough memory modules to keep up with demand. As a result, the site’s unnamed sources say Samsung has had to turn to outside companies for help, and has been buying mobile DRAM chips from Elpida Memory and some NAND flash and eMMC modules from Toshiba. The report notes that Samsung’s memory module business is the largest in the world, so the shortages could have far reaching implications.

Zach Epstein has worked in and around ICT for more than 15 years, first in marketing and business development with two private telcos, then as a writer and editor covering business news, consumer electronics and telecommunications. Zach’s work has been quoted by countless top news publications in the US and around the world. He was also recently named one of the world's top-10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes, as well as one of Inc. Magazine's top-30 Internet of Things experts.