Qualcomm has reportedly asked Samsung Foundry to produce a prototype 2nm chipset for the next-generation Snapdragon 8 application processor (AP). This request indicates Qualcomm’s interest in having Samsung Foundry build an upcoming flagship SoC for the fabless chip designer. If the prototype impresses Qualcomm and the foundry’s yields are satisfactory, Samsung Foundry could receive an order to manufacture the chip.

Samsung Foundry previously produced the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 AP, but Qualcomm was dissatisfied with the low 35% yield that Samsung reportedly achieved. Only 35 out of every 100 chips produced by the foundry passed quality control (QC) and could be shipped, leading Qualcomm to pay for the chips that failed to pass QC. Consequently, Qualcomm made a minor redesign to the chip and had TSMC manufacture it using its 4nm node.

TSMC has been producing the Snapdragon 8 series since then, and is expected to manufacture the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 as well using its 3nm node. For the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, there has been talk about Qualcomm dual-sourcing from both TSMC and Samsung.

Qualcomm ordered a prototype of a Multi-Wafer Project (MWP) from Samsung Foundry to create multiple chip prototypes on a single wafer. The purpose of this stage is for Qualcomm to determine whether it wants to move forward with this prototype. Additionally, Qualcomm has reportedly asked TSMC to create a similar prototype.

Samsung Foundry plans to start mass production of its 2nm chips in the second half of 2025. The Exynos 2400 AP, used in many smartphones including Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+, is produced using Samsung Foundry’s third-gen 4nm process (4LPP+). As a result of these developments, it is clear that Samsung is making significant strides in advancing its semiconductor technology.