Qualcomm and MediaTek May Shift 2nm Production to Samsung as TSMC Prices Spike

Qualcomm and MediaTek may soon take a bold step that could reshape the semiconductor landscape. According to emerging reports, both companies are seriously evaluating Samsung’s 2nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) process as an alternative to TSMC, whose upcoming 2nm production costs are raising alarm bells across the industry.

While this remains a rumor with a plausibility rating of 55%, the reasoning behind it is clear – TSMC’s aggressive pricing could eat into profit margins at a time when chipmakers are already facing slowing growth and intensifying competition.

TSMC, the long-reigning foundry leader, has reportedly increased its wafer prices by nearly 50% for the 2nm node, potentially pushing costs per wafer well above $30,000. Even if exact figures remain disputed, the company’s 3nm N3E and N3P processes have already jumped to $25,000 and $27,000 per wafer, respectively. Such a steep pricing curve has left fabless chip designers like Qualcomm and MediaTek reconsidering their dependency on a single manufacturing partner.

Enter Samsung Foundry. The South Korean tech giant, which recently started mass production of its Exynos 2600 on the 2nm GAA node, may be in the perfect position to seize this opportunity. The 2nm process – built with GAA transistor architecture – promises better power efficiency and performance over traditional FinFET designs. Samsung’s yields are still around 50%, but insiders say steady improvements are being made as part of its roadmap for Galaxy S26 devices.

Qualcomm is reportedly already running test wafers for a 2nm version of the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, aiming to integrate the chip into next-generation flagship phones. MediaTek, meanwhile, has confirmed it has completed tape-out for its first 2nm SoC, planned for release in 2026 under the rumored Dimensity 9500 lineup. If both companies commit to Samsung, the foundry could experience a major comeback after years of lagging behind TSMC’s process leadership and struggling with credibility among its clients.

Pricing pressure plays a crucial role here. The current Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 reportedly costs around $280 per chip, while Dimensity 9500 hovers near $200. If TSMC’s new pricing model holds, the next generation – such as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 – could easily surpass $300. Such increases would ripple across the smartphone ecosystem, forcing OEMs either to cut profits or compromise on hardware specs to stay competitive. In that context, Samsung’s lower-cost 2nm node could be a lifeline.

Still, skepticism remains. Samsung’s reputation among fabless clients has suffered due to inconsistent yields and past issues with heat management, notably during the Snapdragon 888 era. It will take more than a few technical milestones to restore industry trust. Yet, the current climate might push Qualcomm and MediaTek to adopt a dual-sourcing strategy – splitting orders between TSMC and Samsung to reduce risks tied to price volatility and geopolitical dependence.

Ultimately, the situation underscores a brewing power shift in global chipmaking. If Samsung succeeds in securing contracts from both Qualcomm and MediaTek, it could claw back market share from TSMC and reestablish itself as a serious contender in the advanced node race. For now, the rumor stands as plausible – not certain, but definitely worth watching as the semiconductor world edges closer to the 2nm era.