Samsung is first to start mass production of 3-nanometre chips

Samsung Electronics kicked off mass production of 3-nanometre chips that are more powerful and efficient than predecessors, beating competitor Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to a key milestone in the race to build the most advanced chips in the world.

South Korea’s largest company will begin with 3nm semiconductors for high-performance and specialised low-power computing applications before expanding to mobile processors, it said in a statement on Thursday. By applying so-called Gate-All-Around transistor architecture, Samsung’s 3nm products reduce power consumption by up to 45 per cent and improve performance by 23 per cent compared to 5nm chips, it said.

Samsung shares were down about 1 per cent in Seoul on Thursday, in line with the KOSPI benchmark.

Samsung’s push to be first to market with the latest technology is essential in its uphill climb to match TSMC, which remains dominant in the contract chipmaking, or foundry, market. The Taiwanese firm accounts for more than half of the global foundry business by revenue and is the exclusive supplier of Apple’s Silicon processors for iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and desktop Mac PCs.

Samsung Begins Chip Production Using 3nm Process Technology With GAA Architecturehttps://t.co/6ZqJReD01e

— Samsung Electronics (@Samsung) June 30, 2022

TSMC and Samsung are competing for large multiyear orders from the likes of Apple and Qualcomm 3nm mass production from the Taiwanese chipmaker will commence in the second half of the year, TSMC has said. Samsung will produce 3nm chips at its Hwaseong facilities and is expected to extend that production to its newest Pyeongtaek fab.

“We will continue active innovation in competitive technology development and build processes that help expedite achieving maturity of technology,” said Siyoung Choi, president and head of Samsung’s foundry business.

Samsung’s launch of 3nm node chip production, based on a new-generation transistor architecture, shouldn’t affect TSMC’s market share and sales growth in the next 12 months. Despite stronger performance, Samsung’s 3nm chip needs to demonstrate it can be produced at the same cost-efficiency level as TSMC’s most advanced N3 process before it can gain new orders from Apple, Qualcomm and other large chip designers.

Samsung’s advance comes at a sensitive time for the semiconductor industry, whose place in the global geopolitical order is currently under scrutiny by leading governments. The US and China have both taken steps to bring more chipmaking capacity and expertise within their borders – arguing it’s a matter of national security – and Samsung is in the process of setting up a new fabrication facility in Texas.

President Joe Biden took a tour of Samsung’s plant in Pyeongtaek last month and underscored semiconductor alliances as part of his agenda to strengthen international supply chains and stem chip shortages while also reducing reliance on China.

Read: Worldwide semiconductor revenue to grow 13.6% in 2022: Gartner

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