Rumors Suggest Qualcomm's Next Flagship Chips May Utilize Both TSMC and Samsung Manufacturing
Key Takeaways
- Qualcomm may use both TSMC N2P and Samsung Foundry’s 2nm process for its next flagship chips
- The move could provide supply chain flexibility but risks performance differences between variants
- This strategy mirrors approaches previously taken by AMD and Apple
Potential Dual-Foundry Strategy for Qualcomm’s Next Flagship Chips
Recent leaks suggest that Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro processors might be manufactured using processes from both TSMC and Samsung Foundry. Industry insider Digital Chat Station has shared early details about two chipsets, codenamed SM8950 and SM8975, which are expected to represent the next generation of Qualcomm’s top-tier mobile chips.
Expected TSMC N2P Production
Initial expectations pointed toward TSMC’s N2P node as the sole fabrication process for these chips. Internal analysis indicates that TSMC N2P could deliver approximately 18 percent more performance and over 33 percent lower power consumption compared to TSMC’s current N3E process, which is used in existing flagship chips like the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy found in devices such as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Under this original plan, the SM8950 would be the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 built on TSMC N2P, while the SM8975 would serve as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, also using TSMC N2P.
Possible Samsung Foundry Involvement
New reports now suggest that Qualcomm may also employ Samsung Foundry’s 2nm process for this generation. Historically, Qualcomm has depended primarily on TSMC for its flagship chips, while Samsung Foundry has faced challenges with advanced nodes. If this dual-foundry plan proceeds, the Samsung-based variant would likely appear later and carry a different codename.
There is also speculation that a Samsung Foundry collaboration could debut sooner, potentially in the form of a new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 variant designed for Samsung’s upcoming foldable devices.
Reasons for Using Two Foundries
While the exact motives remain unclear, one possible explanation is that utilizing both TSMC and Samsung Foundry would grant Qualcomm greater supply chain flexibility. However, this approach carries a notable risk: performance inconsistency. Because TSMC’s and Samsung’s 2nm nodes are likely to differ in performance and power efficiency, devices equipped with different variants might show measurable disparities in speed or energy use.
Precedents and Outlook
A dual-foundry strategy would not be unprecedented. Companies like AMD currently use both TSMC and Samsung for certain chips, and Apple has employed multiple foundries in the past. The outcome for Qualcomm remains to be seen, but this potential shift could have significant implications for future high-end smartphones and other devices relying on these processors.
