TSMC remains adamant about keeping its cutting-edge technology from reaching U.S. soil, giving Samsung a golden opportunity to introduce its 2nm GAA node to the region in the form of its Taylor plant that’s located in Texas. The facility’s operations are scheduled to start soon, as ASML employees were earlier reported to have set up EUV machinery to smooth out the production transition.
This paraphernalia is highly vital to mass produce sub-5nm wafers at higher yields, with the Taylor plant previously focused on ramping up the manufacturing of 4nm units. However, the latest report states that there’s been a major change in plans, with Samsung now shifting its focus to 2nm GAA technology. With this move, TSMC could face a significant challenge from its foundry rival.
The initial mass production target was 20,000 monthly wafers, and has been raised to 50,000 units; Samsung is accelerating 2nm GAA production to reduce the gap with TSMC
The Exynos 2600 was already announced as Samsung’s first 2nm GAA chipset, and when it was first reported that the SoC had entered mass production, the yields were estimated to be at 50 percent. Now, this figure could witness an uptick because Munhwa reports that the initial mass production volume has been increased to 50,000 monthly wafers, up from the previous 20,000.
The Taylor plant was said to adopt the 4nm node as securing healthy yields would have been easier, but the facility has been reported to have revised its equipment purchase orders to accommodate the 2nm GAA lithography. While the company has yet to divulge the details, the industry believes that this was a strategic move to match TSMC’s initial 2nm scale, with the Taylor plant expected to reach a monthly capacity of a mammoth 100,000 units by 2027.
As for how this site can reach such a scale, it is thanks to Samsung already securing a $16.5 billion deal with Tesla to fabricate the AI6, a next-generation autonomous driving chip. The Korean technology behemoth has also been reported to fulfill 2nm GAA orders for two Chinese cryptocurrency equipment manufacturers, but it is likely that production for the latter will be carried out on Samsung’s home turf rather than outsourcing manufacturing to the Taylor plant.
While the following hasn’t been confirmed, the U.S. production site could also serve as a primary hub for the second-generation 2nm GAA node, and Samsung is moving at a lightning pace to overtake TSMC because the company was reported to have completed the basic design of the new manufacturing process earlier this year. SF2P+, which is Samsung’s third-generation 2nm GAA variant, is currently in development and could be implemented within two years.
News Source: Munhwa
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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