The 3nm node represents a significant challenge for the world’s largest chip foundry.
In context: Samsung will manufacture chips for four well-known technology companies using its most advanced manufacturing process. While geopolitical conflicts are tearing the old economic balance apart, the race to overtake TSMC as the world’s largest chip foundry is on.
According to unnamed industry sources, four of the world’s largest technology corporations have chosen Samsung as a manufacturing partner. Nvidia, Qualcomm, IBM, and Baidu will use Samsung’s newest manufacturing process to launch future products, while Samsung hopes to gain ground on TSMC in the chip foundry race.
Starting in 2024, Samsung will use the recently unveiled 3-nanometer node to supply chip supplies to fabless companies in large quantities. Nvidia will use the 3nm node to build its next-generation GPUs, while IBM will manufacture its own CPUs, Qualcomm will require Arm chips for smartphones, and Baidu will use 3nm for cloud data centers.
In June, Samsung began mass production of 3nm chips. According to the company, their latest manufacturing technology improves power efficiency (45%) and chip performance (23%), when compared to the previous-generation 5nm node.
A second generation 3nm process is already in the works, with Samsung claiming that there is still plenty of room for efficiency and performance improvements.
While the company is making progress in the 3nm race, Samsung is the second largest chip foundry, trailing TSMC by roughly three times. TSMC is working to expand its manufacturing footprint outside of Taiwan, beginning with new plants in the United States. Meanwhile, Samsung already has a global business strategy, as they have manufacturing plants in South Korea (Giheung, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek), the United States (Austin, Taylor), and China.
Samsung is well-known for being the market leader in memory, but the current geopolitical situation may allow them to gain ground on TSMC and become a rival manufacturing superpower. Many “big tech” companies are also looking for new partners in an effort to reduce their reliance on Chinese manufacturers in the midst of the growing diplomatic and economic conflict between Washington and Beijing.
