The global semiconductor race is entering its next phase, with Samsung Foundry making a major move to compete with TSMC in advanced chip manufacturing. Samsung is significantly expanding its 2nm production plans in the United States, signaling a more aggressive push in the high-end foundry market.
Samsung’s 2nm Strategy in the US
Samsung has decided to upgrade its entire production line at its Taylor, Texas, fabrication facility:
- Originally planned for 4nm production
- Now fully upgraded to 2nm process technology
- Aimed at competing directly with TSMC’s upcoming 2nm nodes
This shift highlights Samsung’s confidence in its 2nm yield and long-term foundry roadmap.
Production Capacity Upgrade
Samsung is also scaling up faster than initially expected:
- The initial mass production target increased from 20,000 wafers per month
- New target: 50,000 wafers per month
- This matches TSMC’s planned initial 2nm capacity in Taiwan
Looking further ahead:
- Samsung aims to reach 100,000 wafers per month by 2027
- Would place it among the largest advanced-node producers globally
Major Customer Win: Tesla
One of the biggest highlights is Samsung’s newly signed partnership:
- $16.5 billion deal with Tesla
- Samsung will manufacture Tesla’s next-generation “AI6” autonomous driving processors
- Strengthens Samsung’s position as a serious alternative to TSMC for AI workloads
Timeline & Deliveries
- Full-scale operations to begin: March 2026
- First wafer deliveries expected: Q2 2026
- Ramp-up to continue through 2026 and 2027
Why This Matters
- Reduces global reliance on a single foundry
- Strengthens US-based semiconductor manufacturing
- Intensifies competition at the cutting-edge 2nm node
- Could lead to better pricing and faster innovation for chip customers
Samsung’s aggressive expansion shows it is no longer content playing catch-up. As both Samsung and TSMC push toward 2nm, the next few years will be critical in shaping the future of advanced chip manufacturing.
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