Intel vs Samsung: Founders, CEOs and History
Intel was founded in 1968 by Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore and is led by Lip-Bu Tan. Samsung was founded in 1969 by Lee Byung-chul and is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon.
Company facts
Founders
Intel
Robert Noyce
Intel possesses the most well-known founding story in the entire history of Silicon Valley, famously founded by the effective, rebellious engineers who essentially invented the fundamental architecture of the modern digital world.
Gordon Moore
Gordon Moore co-founded Intel and served as a key technical leader, CEO, and chairman during the company's formative decades. His most important contribution was turning transistor scaling into a corporate operating philosophy.
Samsung
Lee Byung-chul
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung Sanghoe in Daegu in 1938, trading dried fish, produce and noodles.
CEOs and their tenures
Intel
- Andy Grove1987–1998
CEO
Grove turned Intel into the dominant PC processor supplier; revenue grew from about $1.9B in 1987 to over $26B in 1998. His book 'Only the Paranoid Survive' became a management classic.
Source - Pat Gelsinger2021–2024
CEO
Gelsinger rebuilt Intel's process roadmap toward 18A, but capital spending outpaced revenue. After a $18.8B net loss in 2024 and a dividend suspension, the board pushed him out in December 2024.
Source - Lip-Bu Tan2025–present
Chief Executive Officer
Tan reframed Intel around customer commitments and cost discipline rather than building capacity ahead of demand. By Q2 2026 Intel had beaten guidance for several straight quarters and posted its fastest revenue growth in more than 15 years.
Source
Samsung
- Jong-Hee Han2022–2025
Vice Chairman and CEO
A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand. He died suddenly in March 2025 while in office.
Source - Jay Y. Lee2022–present
Executive Chairman
Grandson of the founder and son of Lee Kun-hee. He was convicted in the 2017 bribery case and pardoned in 2022, and became Executive Chairman in October 2022. In 2025 the Supreme Court upheld his acquittal in the separate merger and accounting fraud case.
Source - Jun Young-hyun2024–present
Vice Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device Solutions
He implemented a complete overhaul of the semiconductor division's engineering processes, issuing a rare public apology in 2024 for the company's technological delays.
Source - Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh)2025–present
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device eXperience
As head of the MX (Mobile eXperience) division, he heavily integrated AI features (Galaxy AI) into the S-series flagship phones to combat Apple's dominance in the premium tier.
Source
Timeline: Intel and Samsung side by side
1938Samsung
Samsung Group begins
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung as a trading company before later generations expanded the group into electronics and industry.
1968Intel
Intel Founded
Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore founded Intel.
1969Samsung
Samsung Electronics established
Samsung Electronics Industry Co. Ltd. was established as the group entered electronics manufacturing.
1971Intel
4004 Microprocessor
Intel introduced the 4004, one of the first commercial microprocessors.
1977Samsung
Korea Semiconductor acquired
Samsung acquired Korea Semiconductor, a key step toward memory and component manufacturing leadership.
1985Intel
386 Processor
Intel strengthened the x86 franchise that later dominated PCs.
1993Intel
Pentium Processor Launched
Intel introduced the Pentium processor in 1993.
1993Samsung
New Management initiative
Lee Kun-hee launched the New Management push to raise quality, design, and global competitiveness.
2006Intel
Core Architecture
Intel revived product leadership with the Core architecture.
2017Samsung
Harman acquisition closes
Samsung completed the Harman acquisition, expanding into connected car systems and premium audio.
2021Intel
IDM 2.0 Announced
Intel announced a strategy to expand manufacturing and foundry capabilities.
2021Intel
Pat Gelsinger Becomes CEO
Pat Gelsinger became Intel chief executive in February 2021.
2022Samsung
Jong-Hee Han becomes CEO
Jong-Hee Han became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2022. A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand.
2024Samsung
Jun Young-hyun becomes CEO
Jun Young-hyun became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2024. Head of the semiconductor (Device Solutions) division and memory business; sole CEO for part of 2025 after Han Jong-hee's death, then co-CEO with TM Roh from November 2025.
2025Intel
Lip-Bu Tan Becomes CEO
Lip-Bu Tan became CEO and reset the turnaround agenda around execution, cost, and focus.
2025Intel
$52.853B Revenue
Intel reported $52.853B in revenue and a $267M net loss attributable to Intel.
2025Intel
U.S. Government Takes 9.9% Stake
The U.S. government bought 433.3 million Intel shares at $20.47 for $8.9 billion, becoming the largest shareholder.
2025Intel
Nvidia Invests $5 Billion
Nvidia agreed to invest $5 billion in Intel and co-develop x86 PC and data-center products.
2025Intel
Altera Majority Sold
Intel closed the sale of 51% of Altera to Silver Lake on September 12, 2025.
2025Samsung
TM Roh joins Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO
Samsung named TM Roh Head of Device eXperience and CEO, joining Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO.
2025Samsung
Annual revenue reaches ~$237B (KRW 333.6T)
Samsung Electronics reported ~$237 billion (KRW 333.6 trillion) in 2025 annual revenue and ~$31 billion (KRW 43.6 trillion) in operating profit.
2025Samsung
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) becomes CEO
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2025. Longtime head of the mobile business.
2026Intel
Q2 Revenue Up 25%
Intel reported $16.1 billion in Q2 2026 revenue, its fastest growth in more than 15 years.
Acquisitions
Intel
- Moovit2020$900M
- Habana Labs2019$2B
- Mobileye2017$15.3B
- Altera2015$16.7B
- McAfee2011$7.7B
Samsung
- FlaktGroup2025$1.7B
- Xealth2025Undisclosed
- Harman International2017$8B
- SmartThings2014$200M
Questions about Intel vs Samsung
Who is the CEO of Intel Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Intel Corporation is led by Lip-Bu Tan and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Intel Corporation founded vs Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Intel Corporation was founded in 1968 — 1 year before Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., which was founded in 1969. Intel Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd..
How many employees does Intel Corporation have compared to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Intel Corporation employs approximately 85,100 people, while Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. employs approximately 259,149. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has the larger workforce at 259,149 employees, compared to Intel Corporation's 85,100. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Intel Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. headquartered?
Intel Corporation is headquartered in United States and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is headquartered in South Korea. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Intel Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Intel Corporation was founded by Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded by Lee Byung-chul.
Which company has a longer operating history — Intel Corporation or Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Intel Corporation has been operating for approximately 58 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has been in operation for around 57 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Intel vs Samsung overview