Qualcomm asks Samsung Foundry & TSMC to build 2nm chips prototype،
The world's largest mobile application processor (AP) design company has contacted Samsung Foundry to produce a prototype 2nm chipset that it wants to use in high-end flagship chipsets in 2025. We're talking about Qualcomm wanting develop a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC on a 2nm node. The giant contacted Samsung Foundry and TSMC to develop a prototype so it could analyze the results and award one of the largest orders in the semiconductor industry.
Samsung and Qualcomm joined forces for Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 AP but…
Qualcomm tapped Samsung Foundry for its 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 AP, however, poor performance and 35% yield infuriated Qualcomm. Qualcomm made the design changes to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 AP and passed the baton to TSMC which has since been manufacturing Gen 2 and Gen 3 APs for the chip designer. For those who aren't, a 35% yield means that out of 100 chips manufactured, only 35% passed strict quality control, which is half of current industry standards.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC will be based on a 2nm node
Coming back to the next-generation 2nm chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC will be based on this next-generation process. It ensures more transistors, more performance and better power efficiency compared to 3nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 2024 Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoCs.
Samsung is reportedly working on a Multi-Wafer Project (MWP) which essentially involves creating multiple chip prototypes on a single wafer. This will allow Qualcomm to analyze the different chips and compare them with TSMC's MWPs. At this point, the chip designer will consider everything from performance to yield and other parameters before awarding orders to the appropriate chip maker.
According to ETNews, Samsung Foundry and TSMC are in the race to win orders for 2nm chips expected to arrive in 2025. Ideally, prototyping takes around six months and finalization of orders would occur until the end of this year. Qualcomm could either opt for Samsung or TSMC or resort to a dual sourcing strategy with orders split between the two chipmakers based on the agreed proportion.
TSMC and Samsung Foundry are expected to release their 2nm chips in 2025 and in time for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC. Once this goal is achieved, both companies will move forward with 1.4nm chips. It is expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2027. This will give us a peak in performance compared to previous technologies.
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