Qualcomm Reportedly Considering Samsung for 2nm Chip Production
Qualcomm is reportedly exploring a return to Samsung Foundry for the manufacturing of its next-generation 2nm chips, signalling a potential shift in its supply chain strategy.
According to a recent report by DigiTimes, the US chip giant is in discussions with Samsung regarding the production of its future flagship processors. This move would mark a significant change for the chip maker, which has relied heavily on TSMC for its recent Snapdragon 8 Gen series processors due to yield and efficiency advantages.
Sources suggest that Qualcomm’s interest in Samsung is driven by the need to diversify its manufacturing partners and secure sufficient capacity for upcoming 2nm nodes. With TSMC’s 2nm capacity reportedly seeing high demand from Apple and other major tech players, Qualcomm may be looking to Samsung to ensure a steady supply for its 2027 flagship chipsets.
Samsung has been aggressively developing its 2nm process technology (SF2), claiming significant improvements in power efficiency and performance through its Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistor architecture. If the partnership is finalised, it would be a major win for Samsung’s foundry business, which has been working to close the market share gap with rival TSMC.
The report indicates that while no final decision has been made, Qualcomm is currently evaluating the performance and yield rates of Samsung’s prototype chips. A dual-sourcing strategy could allow Qualcomm to negotiate better pricing and reduce the risks associated with relying on a single manufacturer.
This potential collaboration highlights the intensifying competition in the semiconductor industry as companies race to commercialise sub-3nm technologies for the next wave of AI-capable smartphones and devices.
