Samsung Prepares for 3nm and 2nm Chip Production – What This Means for Future Devices
Samsung has recently announced its readiness to begin mass production of its first 3nm Exynos chipset, utilizing the advanced Gate All Around (GAA) design. While the exact chipset remains unspecified, it could potentially be the Exynos 2500 slated for next year’s Galaxy S25 or the Exynos W1000 expected to debut with the Galaxy Watch7 in the coming months.
Samsung: 3nm Exynos 2500 and 2nm Exynos 2600
In addition to the 3nm developments, Samsung is looking ahead with plans for a 2nm chip, the Exynos 2600, codenamed Thetis. Mass production for the Exynos 2600 is set to commence in the second half of 2025, aligning with the launch timeline for the Galaxy S26.
Reports suggest Qualcomm may continue using the 4nm node for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, which would position the Exynos 2500 with a semiconductor advantage. However, other sources indicate that Qualcomm might transition to TSMC’s 3nm node (N3E) for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. Apple had previously secured a significant portion of TSMC’s 3nm manufacturing capacity, though fluctuations in demand this year might have influenced changes in these plans.
Looking further ahead, a Taiwanese news outlet reports that Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy chips will be manufactured on Samsung’s 3nm GAA Plus (GAP) node starting in 2025, highlighting the competitive interplay between Samsung and TSMC.
As both Samsung and TSMC advance towards 2nm technology, the stage is set for a significant showdown. TSMC’s foundries will likely focus on producing chips for Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and certain Mac models, expected in 2026. This timeline suggests a 2nm competition between Apple and Samsung, with both tech giants vying for supremacy in semiconductor technology.
Samsung’s proactive steps in developing both 3nm and 2nm chips underline its commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the semiconductor industry. As we approach the release of these advanced chipsets, the impact on future devices, including the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S26, and Galaxy Watch7, will be substantial.
Pokdepinion: Given how good recent Exynos chips have been, I’m quite excited to see what they will bring to the table. It’s clear that they have learned from past mistakes and I’m still okay if they don’t have the best performance for as long as it remains to be an efficient chip.
