A surprising report out of Korea indicates that, according to Samsung Foundry, chips that will be manufactured with its 2nm process node could actually be produced with its second-generation 3nm node. If this seems confusing and misleading, you are absolutely right. Imagine being a Samsung Foundry customer expecting chips to be made using the cutting-edge 2nm node next year and discovering that they were produced using the second-generation 3nm node .
In other words, Samsung Foundry is renaming its second-generation 3nm node to 2nm. By
Wccftech (via
ZDNet), a fabless semiconductor industry executive (which simply means his company does not own any manufacturing facilities and does not have a contract with Samsung Foundry to build the chips it designs) said: “We have been informed by Samsung Electronics that they will change “2nd generation 3-nano technology has become 2-nano technology. Last year, the contract signed at Samsung Electronics Foundry for the 2nd generation 3-nano technology was also renamed to 2-nano technology, and the contract was recently rewritten. “
Last month, we told you that Preferred Networks (PFN) had become the first customer to sign on the dotted line to turn its chip design into a real chip using Samsung Foundry's 2nm node. As it turns out, the new report states that the order was actually for chips made using Samsung Foundry's second-generation 3nm node. Samsung Foundry is expected to
start mass production of 2nm chips in the second half of next year. But this figure will be increased if this report is true since it plans to produce chips this year using its second-generation 3nm node.
Samsung Foundry calls its second-generation 3nm node 2nm
The previously cited fabless semiconductor industry official said that the renaming of the second-generation 3nm node to 2nm was done because Samsung Foundry was able to reduce the size of the chip's transistors thanks to optimizations. This will allow more transistors to fit into the rebranded 2nm chip, allowing it to increase performance and/or power efficiency.
Something else to consider. Another reason why Samsung Foundry might get away with this name change is that, unlike TSMC, Samsung Foundry already uses Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistors with its 3nm process node. TSMC is moving from FinFET transistors to GAA transistors with its 2nm production in 2025. GAA transistors have a gate covering all four sides of the channel through the use of vertically placed horizontal nanosheets.
GAA transistors reduce current leakage and increase drive current. This results in improved electrical signals passing through and between the transistors, improving the performance of the chip.
We're sure to hear more from Samsung Foundry and maybe even TSMC and Intel. Keep contacting us for the latest news.
