The Korean giant’s net profits rose 46.3% compared to the same quarter in 2020 to 7.1tn won ($6.4bn; £4.6bn).
Sales of television and home appliances saw strong growth, buoyed by continued stay-at-home demand. However, the company’s profits were dented by disappointing results for its chips business.
“Solid sales of smartphones and consumer electronics outweighed lower earnings from semiconductors and displays,” the company said in an earnings report.
Its main competitor for premium phones Apple also posted bumper results on Tuesday, with iPhone sales in China helping to double its profits since the start of the pandemic.
Both companies have done well during the pandemic, as many customers chose to upgrade their phones, laptops, and other devices to work from home.
Samsung is tipping a slightly lackluster second quarter followed by more substantial results in the second half. The economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic gathers pace and more consumers look to upgrade to 5G mobile services.
Despite high demand due to a global shortage, Samsung’s chips business was hit by the cost of ramping up production domestically and a storm-related stoppage at its Texas factory in February.
However, the factory has resumed total production, and the world’s largest chipmaker is expecting more robust results for its semiconductor business in the second quarter.
The electronics giant warned that this could be offset by a decline in flagship smartphone sales and continuing supply issues with some components.
