samsung Begins Production of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Test Chips, Aiming too Revive Qualcomm Partnership
Seoul, South Korea – Samsung Foundry has commenced production of test samples for Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, signaling a potential resurgence in the companies’ manufacturing partnership. The chips are being produced on Samsung’s 2nm process,representing a meaningful leap in chip technology and a direct challenge to TSMC’s dominance.
Industry sources indicate Samsung has made substantial improvements to the efficiency and yield of its 2nm process, positioning it to compete for Qualcomm orders. While currently only test samples, the chips are undergoing rigorous evaluation, with mass production potentially slated for 2026. Qualcomm has not yet committed to Samsung for full-scale production, and TSMC remains a strong contender.
The move to a 2nm process promises increased performance and reduced energy consumption compared to current 3nm and 4nm chips. A smaller process allows for a greater density of transistors, leading to faster speeds, lower heat generation, and improved battery life in end-user devices. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is anticipated to power premium smartphones,prioritizing energy efficiency,artificial intelligence capabilities,and advanced graphics performance.
Currently, TSMC holds the leading position in premium chip manufacturing, serving key clients like Apple, AMD, and Nvidia. Samsung is actively working to regain market share, and a prosperous, stable 2nm process could dramatically alter the competitive landscape. The potential for Samsung to manufacture the upcoming Exynos 2600 processor, also based on a 2nm architecture, further underscores this ambition.
