Samsung Semiconductor has received approval to start producing the third generation of 4nm chipsets, according to sources in Korea. This is possible because Samsung has achieved sufficient wafer yields, which will help reduce power consumption.
Production is scheduled to begin at the end of the first half of 2023, in just three months.
Previously, the yield on one wafer was very poor at the Hwaseong manufacturing facility, forcing chip makers like Qualcomm to sign contracts with TSMC for the 4nm platform. TSMC had a 70-80% usable wafer rate, while Samsung struggled to reach 60%. Since manufacturers pay for the entire wafer, it’s more cost-effective to choose the one with less waste.
The next process technology advancement is 3nm, and Apple is expected to release the iPhone 15 Pro devices running on these platforms. According to Counterpoint research, the 5nm and 4nm processes are currently the most popular in mobile devices, with 22% usage, followed by the 7nm and 6nm processes at 16%.
The production of 4nm-based chips is expected to continue growing in the coming years as Samsung and TSMC build factories in the US, which will be fully operational by 2024.
