Every year, Qualcomm aims to diversify its chip production by partnering with both Samsung and TSMC. However, time and again, Qualcomm finds itself leaning heavily on TSMC, as Samsung struggles with consistent production yields. For its upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, Qualcomm reportedly plans to rely on TSMC’s advanced N3P 3nm process for mass production. Yet, there’s a surprising development: Qualcomm and Samsung have struck a deal that might change the game.
This unexpected contract suggests Samsung will manufacture ‘leading-edge’ products for Qualcomm. However, it’s still unclear whether the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 will utilize multiple production techniques or solely rely on one.
Samsung’s lack of contracts from major clients is largely due to its yield challenges, but its upcoming 2nm GAA process holds promise. There’s speculation that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, particularly a version tailored for Galaxy devices, could be exclusively produced using Samsung’s advanced 2nm GAA technology. Still, no official confirmation is available on this potential partnership.
A report sheds light on Samsung’s endeavors to secure orders for NVIDIA products, including HBM memory, hinting at broader partnerships. Details about Samsung’s agreement with Qualcomm remain scant, though the contract was reportedly signed earlier this year in the U.S.
Despite current opacity, there’s optimism for Samsung. The tech giant has shown encouraging progress, with trial yields for the Exynos 2600 on its 2nm GAA process hitting 30%. This is an improvement over its previous 3nm GAA node attempts. Samsung aims to stabilize these yields by the second half of 2025 and start taking orders, leaving the door open for Qualcomm to join its roster of clients.
As we await further updates, the possibility of Samsung bouncing back as a key player in semiconductor manufacturing remains an exciting prospect. Stay tuned for more developments.
