The tech world is buzzing with news that Samsung might be exploring new options for manufacturing its future Exynos chips. Rumors are circulating that Samsung LSI is considering partnering with TSMC to produce these chips. This potential collaboration stems from challenges Samsung is facing with its own foundry operations, particularly with the 3 nm node, which reportedly has yield issues as low as 20%.
Reports from South Korea highlight struggles within Samsung’s Foundry division, pointing to a downturn in demand that has resulted in the closure of some operations for older technology nodes. This situation may force Samsung to evaluate alternatives for producing their high-end Exynos chips and TSMC, their significant competitor, might just be the partner they need.
While concrete details remain sparse, there’s speculation that if this partnership does materialize, it would likely revolve around the next generation following the Exynos 2500. The Exynos 2500 is already in the pipeline with samples in pre-production, meaning any collaboration with TSMC would likely pertain to its successor, the Exynos 2600—or as it is codenamed, Thetis.
However, it’s essential to approach this rumor with skepticism. The idea of Samsung Foundry, which is still part of Samsung Electronics, working with a rival such as TSMC does seem far-fetched unless the Foundry is spun off into a separate entity. Nevertheless, with the current difficulties Samsung is experiencing, such a move might not be entirely off the table.
As the situation develops, the tech community will be watching closely to see how Samsung navigates its manufacturing challenges and whether a surprising partnership with TSMC will indeed come to fruition.
