Samsung might be on the verge of outsourcing its Exynos chip manufacturing due to ongoing challenges. A rumour from a leaker suggests that Samsung is eyeing TSMC as a potential manufacturing partner. This speculation gained credibility when it was supported by insights from an industry analyst who previously worked at Qualcomm.
Samsung’s recent strategic manoeuvre suggests a new direction aimed at bolstering the capabilities of its proprietary Exynos processors. Historically, these chips have not kept pace with the benchmarks set by frontrunners such as Apple and Qualcomm.
Recent buzz suggests that the Exynos 2500 is definitely in the works, undeterred by initial yield challenges. It’s worth noting that TSMC isn’t just a partner to Samsung; they also forge chips for competitors like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Should Samsung indeed decide to partner with TSMC for production, it’s important to understand that Samsung’s role in chip design remains unchanged. Samsung would still be responsible for the full spectrum of development—from conceptualization to market distribution—with TSMC focusing solely on manufacturing.
Low Yield:
In the realm of semiconductor production, the yield rate stands as a pivotal measure, essentially denoting the percentage of operational chips to the total number of chips that could be produced from a single wafer. A superior yield rate ensures fewer defective units, thereby boosting production efficiency.
Samsung faces challenges in this arena, particularly with its 3nm node process, where its yield reportedly hovers under 20%. In stark contrast, TSMC enjoys a yield rate that not only surpasses 80% but is approaching 90%. This disparity positions TSMC as the prime candidate for producing Exynos chips on a large scale with enhanced dependability.
Within Samsung, the Exynos chip design is handled by the System LSI division, distinct from the Samsung Foundry, which takes care of the manufacturing. This organizational structure opens the door for Samsung to potentially leverage TSMC’s manufacturing prowess for Exynos production.
