Qualcomm asks Samsung Foundry and TSMC to each build 2nm Snapdragon 8 prototypes،
According to ETNews (via SamMobile), San Diego-based Qualcomm has asked Samsung Foundry to produce a prototype 2nm chipset for the next-generation Snapdragon 8 application processor (AP). Ultimately, the request shows that Qualcomm wants Samsung Foundry to build an upcoming flagship SoC for the fabless chip designer. If the prototype impresses Qualcomm and the foundry's yields are satisfactory, Samsung Foundry could receive an order to manufacture the chip.
You may remember that Samsung Foundry was producing the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 AP when Qualcomm got upset about the low 35% yield Samsung was reportedly getting. In simple terms, this meant that out of 100 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chips produced by the foundry, only 35 passed quality control (QC) and could be shipped. And the way things work in the industry, Qualcomm had to pay for chips that didn't pass quality control.
Qualcomm ended up doing a minor redesign to the chip, gave it a new name (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1), and let TSMC manufacture it using its 4nm node. TSMC has been producing the Snapdragon 8 series since then. Qualcomm is expected to introduce the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 later this year; TSMC will also manufacture this chip using its 3nm node. For the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, there was talk of Qualcomm's dual source of components from TSMC and Samsung.
Qualcomm ordered a prototype 2nm chipset for the Snapdragon 8 Gen series
The 2nm prototype ordered from Samsung Foundry by Qualcomm is called Multi-Wafer Project (MWP) and the idea is to create multiple chip prototypes on a single wafer. It is at this stage that the prototype is put to the test to see if the customer (in this case Qualcomm) wants to move forward. Qualcomm has also reportedly asked TSMC to create a 2nm prototype. Qualcomm will have to choose between asking TSMC or Samsung Foundry to produce the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, or continuing with dual-sourcing.
Samsung Foundry is expected to be able to start mass production of 2nm chips in the second half of 2025. The Exynos 2400 AP, used to power the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ in the vast majority of countries, is produced using Samsung Foundry's third-generation 4nm process (4LPP+). The lower the process node number, the higher the number of transistors on a chip. And the higher the number of transistors in a chip, the more powerful and/or energy efficient that chip is.
