In 2017, Samsung announced plans to produce chipsets from 10 nm to 4 nm. The 10 nm and 7 nm processors are currently in use and the 5 nm chipset is expected to debut soon, probably on the Galaxy Note20. The new next-generation Samsung Exynos main processor known as 992 will be manufactured using a 5 nm processor. Mass production should accelerate with the launch of the Galaxy Note20 series.
The DigiTimes platform and reliable industry sources say that Samsung may not go entirely through the 4 nm node. Instead, the Korean giant will go from 5 nm to 3 nm. This is a path diametrically opposite to what TSMC plans, which is to use a 4 nm N4 process which should be completed in 2023. The idea of TSMC is to give its customers a variety of options and prices to choose from… TSMC also has a $20 billion investment in its 3 nm chipset, which is expected to be operational by 2022.
We expect Samsung to maintain 5 nm production until 2021 when the company launches the Exynos 1000. By switching directly to 3 nm technology, Samsung will be able to direct more resources to an improved and efficient node. On the other hand, it also means that the company could lose a large volume of orders from potential partners, which is now likely to turn to TSMC as a better option, thanks to its upcoming 4 nm technology.
