Samsung may have trial production of second-generation 3-nanometer chips

TSMC, Samsung are actively seeking customers, ready for the first half of the mass production of second-generation 3-nanometer 3GAA architecture process, whether it can meet the needs of large customers such as Nvidia, Qualcomm, AMD, and at the same time quickly increase the yield, is the key to success in the competition.

Samsung is testing the performance and reliability of SF3 pilot chip, the first product will be equipped with the upcoming Galaxy Watch 7 application processor (AP), is expected to be used in the Galaxy S25 series Exynos 2500 chip.

If SF3 yields and performance are stable, customers that have turned to TSMC will have a chance to return, such as Samsung, which is quite concerned about its cooperation with Qualcomm. The latter in the new generation of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with TSMC production. In addition, Nvidia H200, B100 and AMD MI300X is also expected to take TSMC 3nm process.

Samsung announced in November last year that it would mass-produce the SF3 process in the second half of 2024, and although the Chosun Ilbo report did not get a response from Samsung, the speculation is quite reasonable in terms of timing. However, the report mentioned the chip yield of 60%, but did not mention the number of transistors, chip size, performance, power consumption and other specifications.

In addition, smartwatch application processors, mobile phone chips and data centre processors have completely different targets for chip size, performance and power consumption. If the yield of small chips is only 60%, it is quite difficult to be commercialised, but if the yield of photomask size (size) chips is 60%, it is quite reasonable.

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