Qualcomm is reportedly in discussions with Samsung to take over the production of its 2nm chips, according to comments made by Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon. Despite the announcement, Samsung has declined to comment on the matter, adding an air of uncertainty to the situation.
This development marks an interesting turn, considering Samsung’s foundry has been facing difficulties in meeting Qualcomm’s requirements in recent years. The last collaboration between Samsung and Qualcomm occurred in 2022 with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. However, the partnership was criticized for thermal issues, and Samsung’s foundry struggled to meet the required yield, prompting Qualcomm to shift its manufacturing to TSMC.
A Possible New Era of Collaboration Between Qualcomm and Samsung
Now, Qualcomm appears to be revisiting Samsung as a potential partner for its 2nm chip production. Sources suggest that Qualcomm has already completed the chip design and is ready to move forward with production. Though details are still in flux, the talks signal a possible revival of the relationship between the two tech giants.
Samsung’s foundry division has been under pressure in recent years, with its performance falling short of expectations. The appointment of a new head for the division is part of efforts to restore profitability to the foundry business. Recent positive steps include securing supply agreements with customers, most notably Tesla, which has partnered with Samsung to produce high-end chips for artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
Uncertainty Surrounding Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Production
At this point, it is unclear whether Samsung will handle the production of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chips, or if the two companies are planning a different collaboration. The decision to return to Samsung for 2nm manufacturing could indicate confidence in Samsung’s ability to recover its foundry operations, but whether this will be sufficient to meet Qualcomm’s high standards remains to be seen.
