As the 2nm (nanometer) race intensifies in the semiconductor industry, Samsung appears poised to challenge the market dominance of its Taiwanese rival, TSMC. According to new reports from South Korea, Samsung Foundry has delivered test samples of Qualcomm’s flagship processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, produced using the latest 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) process.

Qualcomm Returns to Dual Supply Chain Strategy

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset was unveiled at the Snapdragon Summit in September 2025 and began mass production at TSMC. However, Qualcomm’s decision to test Samsung’s 2nm process is seen as a strategic step toward diversifying its supply chain and reducing reliance on a single manufacturer.

In the coming months, Qualcomm engineers will thoroughly test Samsung’s samples for yield consistency, thermal management, and long-term reliability. If these tests are successful, production could begin in time for use in future flagship devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 8, set for release in 2026.

Samsung’s attempt to produce Qualcomm chips failed due to efficiency and heating issues experienced with the Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, prompting Qualcomm to switch back to TSMC.

However, Samsung appears to have significantly stabilized its production technology since then. The South Korean giant has gained enough confidence to use an Exynos chip for the first time in its foldable phones this year. The Exynos 2500, which powers the Galaxy Z Flip 7, has not experienced any major performance issues so far.

The fact that costs on TSMC’s high-end production plates have increased by up to 24 percent year over year makes Samsung’s lower pricing an attractive alternative.

If Qualcomm greenlights this partnership, the first 2nm Snapdragon chip could debut in Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip8 by mid-2026. This healthy competition will not only help keep chip prices in check but also accelerate efficiency improvements in upcoming flagship devices.