Samsung is among the most aggressive spenders globally when it comes to research and development (R&D). The South Korean firm has already spent over KRW 27.36 trillion (around $19.7 billion) in the first half of this year as it nears the 300,000 patent milestone globally.According to a report from JoongAng Economy News, Samsung Electronics now holds 296,468 patents worldwide. It is on the verge of crossing the 300,000-patent mark, a major milestone for any technology company.The firm filed a record-breaking number of patents in the first half of this year, registering 11,054 new patents across South Korea (5,572), the US (5,482), and other regions.The US accounts for the largest share of Samsung's active patent portfolio, followed by South Korea, Europe, China, and Japan.USA: 109,674 patentsSouth Korea: 69,831 patentsEurope: 55,319 patentsChina: 32,678 patentsJapan: 8,025 patentsOther regions: 20,941 patentsSamsung's R&D expenditure surged by 51.5% compared to the first half of 2025, marking the highest amount the company has ever invested over a six-month period. This aggressive push is reportedly driven by Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee's focus on securing long-term technological superiority over rivals.