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Samsung cuts 2nm wafer pricing bringing it down to $20,000, undercuts rival TSMC by 33%

Daniel Nenni

Daniel Nenni

Admin
Staff member
Samsung 2nm Wiki SemiWiki.jpg


AI Summary of recently published articles:
Samsung Semiconductor has reportedly lowered its 2nm wafer price to $20,000, aiming to attract customers and utilize its advanced manufacturing capacity. This price represents a significant discount compared to TSMC's estimated $30,000 per wafer for its 2nm process.

Samsung has faced pressure to secure orders for its cutting-edge fabrication plants in South Korea and the United States, which have been running below capacity. This pricing strategy aligns with Samsung's history of competing on price against TSMC's strong market position.

TSMC currently leads in advanced node manufacturing and has secured major clients like NVIDIA and AMD for its 2nm process, with mass production planned for Q4 2025 at high wafer prices.

Recent Developments
Samsung recently secured a $16.5 billion deal with Tesla to produce next-gen AI chips, potentially utilizing the 2nm node at its Texas facility. This deal could also help improve Samsung's manufacturing yields.
  • Samsung is actively pursuing major clients like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, MediaTek, Intel, and Qualcomm (Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 codenamed “Kaanapali S”) for 2nm performance evaluation and mass production readiness.

  • The company is also expected to launch its Exynos 2600 chip, built on its in-house 2nm process, early next year, which could power the upcoming Galaxy S26 series.
Market Dynamics
While Samsung's lower pricing is appealing, some industry voices suggest its 2nm node may not yet be at the same level as TSMC's. The move comes as the semiconductor industry sees a surge in investment and demand, largely driven by AI.
 
This is true, I heard it last week amongst the ecosystem. Samsung traditionally sells wafers on price but the prices I have seen have been 20% lower than TSMC. 33% is a very big number for wafers especially for a process that is ramping. Competition is good, absolutely, unfortunately Intel will be caught between a rock and a very cheap hard place.
 
Daniel Nenni said:
This is true, I heard it last week amongst the ecosystem. Samsung traditionally sells wafers on price but the prices I have seen have been 20% lower than TSMC. 33% is a very big number for wafers especially for a process that is ramping. Competition is good, absolutely, unfortunately Intel will be caught between a rock and a very cheap hard place.
Click to expand...
Luckily Intel doesnt plan to sell any 18A wafers to external customers in 2026.

But IFS are supposed to set their internal pricing based on market price .... is it 20K or 30K? I hope IFS shares revenue by node.
 
How is the Exynos 2600 ramp going?

AI Overview


Production of Samsung's Exynos 2600 is reportedly ramping up ahead of schedule with significant yield improvements, a sign of confidence in its 2-nanometer manufacturing process.
Production progress
  • Mass production begins early: Samsung reportedly started mass production of the Exynos 2600 in late September 2025, earlier than initially expected.
  • Improved yields: After hovering around 30% during trial production in the first quarter of 2025, the manufacturing yield for the 2nm chip has reportedly increased to 50%. While not yet ideal, this represents a major step forward for Samsung's foundry compared to past issues with its 3nm process.
  • Fabrication timeline: According to industry sources, the "fab-out" stage—when the processed wafers leave the factory—is anticipated for late October or early November 2025.
Strategic implications
Samsung's success with the Exynos 2600 is crucial for several reasons:
  • Reduces reliance on Qualcomm: High-volume, in-house production will allow Samsung to use its own chips in more of its flagship devices, decreasing its dependence on Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors.
  • Regains market share: After a problematic 3nm launch, a successful 2nm rollout can restore confidence in Samsung's semiconductor foundry business and attract external clients like Tesla, which has reportedly already placed an order for next-gen chips.
  • Establishes market lead: By successfully moving to its 2nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) process, Samsung aims to gain a crucial node advantage over competitors like TSMC, which is expected to rely on its 3nm process for its main clients in the near future.
Expected debut and performance
  • Galaxy S26 series: The Exynos 2600 is expected to debut in certain models of the Galaxy S26 series, scheduled for release in early 2026.
  • Market distribution: Current reports suggest the Exynos 2600 will power Galaxy S26 models in Europe and South Korea, while North America and China will continue to receive variants with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.
  • Performance boost: The chip is built on Samsung's most advanced SF2 (1st-generation 2nm) process, which is projected to offer a 12% performance boost and 25% better power efficiency compared to its previous SF3 (3nm) node.
 
benb said:
How is the Exynos 2600 ramp going?

AI Overview


Production of Samsung's Exynos 2600 is reportedly ramping up ahead of schedule with significant yield improvements, a sign of confidence in its 2-nanometer manufacturing process.
Production progress
  • ....
Click to expand...
Cite sources?
 
Daniel Nenni said:
View attachment 3699

AI Summary of recently published articles:
Samsung Semiconductor has reportedly lowered its 2nm wafer price to $20,000, aiming to attract customers and utilize its advanced manufacturing capacity. This price represents a significant discount compared to TSMC's estimated $30,000 per wafer for its 2nm process.

Samsung has faced pressure to secure orders for its cutting-edge fabrication plants in South Korea and the United States, which have been running below capacity. This pricing strategy aligns with Samsung's history of competing on price against TSMC's strong market position.

TSMC currently leads in advanced node manufacturing and has secured major clients like NVIDIA and AMD for its 2nm process, with mass production planned for Q4 2025 at high wafer prices.

Recent Developments
Samsung recently secured a $16.5 billion deal with Tesla to produce next-gen AI chips, potentially utilizing the 2nm node at its Texas facility. This deal could also help improve Samsung's manufacturing yields.
  • Samsung is actively pursuing major clients like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, MediaTek, Intel, and Qualcomm (Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 codenamed “Kaanapali S”) for 2nm performance evaluation and mass production readiness.

  • The company is also expected to launch its Exynos 2600 chip, built on its in-house 2nm process, early next year, which could power the upcoming Galaxy S26 series.
Market Dynamics
While Samsung's lower pricing is appealing, some industry voices suggest its 2nm node may not yet be at the same level as TSMC's. The move comes as the semiconductor industry sees a surge in investment and demand, largely driven by AI.
Click to expand...

For large volume customers such as AMD and Qualcomm, yield is critical, even if Samsung lowers the price and charges only for the good dies. If poor yield results in fewer chips being delivered to clients, it can seriously damage the clients’ businesses.

When OPPO, Xiaomi, Vivo, Motorola, or even Samsung’s own mobile division cannot obtain enough chips from Qualcomm, they will be forced to purchase more from MediaTek. It had happen to Qualcomm.
 
hist78 said:
For large volume customers such as AMD and Qualcomm, yield is critical, even if Samsung lowers the price and charges only for the good dies. If poor yield results in fewer chips being delivered to clients, it can seriously damage the clients’ businesses.

When OPPO, Xiaomi, Vivo, Motorola, or even Samsung’s own mobile division cannot obtain enough chips from Qualcomm, they will be forced to purchase more from MediaTek. It had happen to Qualcomm.
Click to expand...

It has happened to QCOM multiple times. Samsung 10anm was horrific. They sold good die versus wafers due to single digit yield and QCOM could not meet customer commitments. MediaTek should thank Samsung Foundry.
 
Daniel Nenni said:
It has happened to QCOM multiple times. Samsung 10anm was horrific. They sold good die versus wafers due to single digit yield and QCOM could not meet customer commitments. MediaTek should thank Samsung Foundry.
Click to expand...

A rumor circulated several years ago that Qualcomm once considered resuming the use of Samsung Foundry to manufacture some major products. However, Qualcomm’s board of directors gave its executives clear guidance: “Don’t bother.”
 
hist78 said:
A rumor circulated several years ago that Qualcomm once considered resuming the use of Samsung Foundry to manufacture some major products. However, Qualcomm’s board of directors gave its executives clear guidance: “Don’t bother.”
Click to expand...

Yes, I heard that too. QCOM is flying first class with TSMC on N3 and N2 but QCOM will also use Samsung 2nm. Samsung uses Mediatek SOCs as well. The Exynos 2600 is Samsung 2nm and should hit production in 2026. Yields are still rumored to be < 50% but that changes day-to-day. Maybe Elon Musk is on the Samsung 2nm yield ramp team? :ROFLMAO:

Elon Musk Samsung SemiWiki.jpg
 
Daniel Nenni said:
Yes, I heard that too. QCOM is flying first class with TSMC on N3 and N2 but QCOM will also use Samsung 2nm. Samsung uses Mediatek SOCs as well. The Exynos 2600 is Samsung 2nm and should hit production in 2026. Yields are still rumored to be < 50% but that changes day-to-day. Maybe Elon Musk is on the Samsung 2nm yield ramp team? :ROFLMAO:

View attachment 3703
Click to expand...

I don't think Elon Musk can have a sleepover at a Samsung fab anymore. He has several businesses and a BIG family to take care of.
 
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