Samsung hopes to make chips for Qualcomm next year. Reports say talks started about making the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 for Galaxy phones on Samsung's new 2nm process. The design work should finish this spring, with production starting early 2026. Samsung can make about 7,000 wafers monthly with this new technology, but might begin with just 1,000 wafers at their Hwaseong S3 plant.
Early tests showed that only 30 percent of chips worked correctly on Samsung's 2nm process. This is better than Qualcomm's troubled 3nm technology. Qualcomm wanted to use both Samsung and TSMC factories before, but poor results stopped those plans. TSMC already makes all regular Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chips on its 3nm process. Samsung races to improve as TSMC takes orders for its 2nm chips, too.
When asked about these deals, Samsung said it could not discuss customer orders. Qualcomm wants special chips for Samsung Galaxy phones like the ones they made before. The Hwaseong factory will handle just 15 percent of Samsung's total chip-making ability. Time will tell if Samsung can prove reliable enough for Qualcomm to trust them again.
Early tests showed that only 30 percent of chips worked correctly on Samsung's 2nm process. This is better than Qualcomm's troubled 3nm technology. Qualcomm wanted to use both Samsung and TSMC factories before, but poor results stopped those plans. TSMC already makes all regular Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chips on its 3nm process. Samsung races to improve as TSMC takes orders for its 2nm chips, too.
When asked about these deals, Samsung said it could not discuss customer orders. Qualcomm wants special chips for Samsung Galaxy phones like the ones they made before. The Hwaseong factory will handle just 15 percent of Samsung's total chip-making ability. Time will tell if Samsung can prove reliable enough for Qualcomm to trust them again.
