Samsung Electronics and TSMC, two giants of the chip industry, are in fierce competition to attract customers to their state-of-the-art 2nm chip manufacturing processes. While Samsung is struggling to find customers for the 3nm process, it now aims to strengthen its position in the market by focusing on the 2nm process.
Recent news even suggests that Samsung may have received an important order from Qualcomm
Qualcomm has allegedly commissioned Samsung to develop a prototype 2nm chip for its upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen series processors. This is an important milestone for Samsung, as it shows Qualcomm’s interest in Samsung Foundry’s 2nm manufacturing process.
The process, known as the Multi-Wafer Project (MWP), aims to create multiple semiconductor chip prototypes on a single wafer. The performance of these prototypes will determine Qualcomm’s final decision on whether to continue with Samsung for the production of its next-generation flagship smartphone chip.
Given that both Samsung and TSMC are pioneering their own versions of the 2nm process, Qualcomm has reportedly ordered prototypes from both companies.
Samsung predicts that it could begin mass production of 2nm chips using the Gate All Around (GAA) process in the second half of 2025. This progress builds on the successful development of Samsung’s Exynos 2400 processor, which is manufactured using the third-generation 4nm process and powers devices such as the Galaxy S24 series.
Despite past setbacks, such as Qualcomm’s decision to switch to TSMC for certain chip orders due to power efficiency concerns, Samsung Foundry is determined to regain its position in Qualcomm’s eyes. The company is committed to semiconductor chip manufacturing in its efforts to improve its technological capabilities and regain the trust of its customers.