High-end Snapdragon chips, called Qualcomm’s flagship, are sometimes produced by TSMC and sometimes by Samsung. For example, the Snapdragon 845 chipset, introduced in December 2017, is produced by Samsung with a 10nm fabrication process; Snapdragon 855 and Snapdragon 865 were handled by Taiwan-based TSMC.
Snapdragon 888 (5nm) and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) were also produced by Samsung. However, the decrease in the efficiency rate of Samsung’s production line bothered Qualcomm. In recent years, things have turned around and TSMC has taken a step forward in terms of production technologies. Therefore, big manufacturers such as Qualcomm started to turn to TSMC.
Qualcomm chooses TSMC for Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
According to The Elec, Qualcomm has started discussions with TSMC for the next flagship chipset, which is expected to be called Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. . The reason for this decision of the company is due to the low productivity rate in Samsung’s production line, as can be expected.
According to reports, Samsung Foundry’s 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset production efficiency rate is 35 percent. This is from efficiency testing of only 35 out of every 100 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1s produced. This means that it has passed and is in a condition where it can be sent to manufacturers.
TSMC is said to have twice the efficiency ratio. If the claims are true, Qualcomm’s 3nm chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Plus chipset can be produced by TSMC.
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