Samsung’s troubles over increasing its yields on its next-generation 3nm GAA process are well documented, meaning that the Korean foundry needs all the help it can get. The initial yield target for its first and second-generation 3nm GAA technology was 70 percent, but based on current records, the company had only reached 20 percent for the improved iteration, while TSMC’s 2nm trial production run was previously reported to have reached an impressive 60 percent.
Given that the Taiwanese semiconductor behemoth has some magic working for it, there were talks that it could take over some of Samsung’s Exynos production. Unfortunately, a tipster has some bad news for those who had their fingers crossed that future Galaxy S flagships would be treated to something other than Qualcomm’s chipsets because no such deal is expected to happen between the two.
The potential alliance between TSMC and Samsung is accompanied by the risk of divulging its trade secrets with the partner
Word around silicon street was that Samsung was trying to tie up agreements with other foundry partners where the production of its Exynos range could be shared between various technologies. While TSMC’s name was not specifically mentioned in the report, no one else other than it and Samsung possesses access to cutting-edge nodes and machinery. The partnership would have been a golden gateway for the Korean titan to lift itself up from its low yield drought that has caused it to lose several customers, including Qualcomm for its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2.
Sadly, @Jukanlosreve mentioned on X that TSMC will not form any sort of partnership with Samsung to mass produce the Exynos range. When asked why the Taiwanese firm rejected an offer, the tipster mentions that Samsung likely would have obtained access to TSMC’s trade secrets on how it manages to keep its yields at acceptable levels, which may have given Samsung an edge in the future when fulfilling its own ambitions.
Aside from this concern, we do not believe that TSMC would have any problem securing Exynos orders, and it would also be at liberty to charge a premium as it would have delivered those shipments in a timely fashion. With no deal transpiring, it is up to Samsung to leverage whatever technology it has and up its yields to a respectable threshold. As it so happens, the company was earlier said to have commenced development of an SoC on the 2nm process codenamed ‘Ulysses,’ so let us wait for more updates and see the progress several months from now.
News Source: @Jukanlosreve
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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