Qualcomm and MediaTek are reportedly considering switching their 2nm chip supplier from TSMC to Samsung.
The global semiconductor market is experiencing rising tension after TSMC decided to significantly increase the prices of its next-generation manufacturing processes. According to recent reports, Qualcomm and MediaTek are evaluating the option of shifting part of their 2-nanometer chip production to Samsung Foundry to reduce costs and protect profit margins.
TSMC is said to be planning a 50% price increase for 2nm wafers, raising the cost per unit to about $30,000. Meanwhile, its 3nm nodes (N3E and N3P) are expected to rise to $25,000 and $27,000 respectively.
Samsung’s Growing Role in 2nm Chip Manufacturing
Samsung, which has already started mass production of the Exynos 2600 processor based on the 2nm node, aims to demonstrate the maturity of its technologies and regain industry trust. The current yields of Samsung’s 2nm process are reportedly around 50%, still below TSMC’s level but showing steady improvement.
Rumors suggest that Qualcomm has already begun collaborating with Samsung to test a 2nm GAA version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, designed for future flagship smartphones. MediaTek, on the other hand, has completed the tape-out of its first 2nm SoC, expected in 2026, but has not yet confirmed a manufacturing partnership.
Rising Chip Costs Could Impact Smartphone Prices
With high-end chip costs climbing — up to $280 for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and $200 for the Dimensity 9500 — smartphone manufacturers may be forced to choose between lowering profit margins or limiting hardware upgrades.
In this situation, Samsung Foundry could become the big winner, strengthening its position in the advanced semiconductor market. However, to secure a stable dual-sourcing agreement with Qualcomm and MediaTek, the Korean company will first need to prove that it has fully resolved its past production issues.
