Samsung cuts 2-nm wafer costs by nearly a third to challenge TSMC, boost fab use, and win AI chip deals, including a $16.5B Tesla pact and possible xAI orders.
© A. Krivonosov
Samsung is racing back into the semiconductor fray, cutting the cost of 2‑nm chip production by nearly a third to lure clients from TSMC. According to industry sources, a wafer now costs developers about $20,000, compared with the $30,000 TSMC charges. The discount may squeeze margins in the short term, but it keeps underused lines running and gives Samsung’s 2‑nm process room to earn trust—an unmistakable signal that the company wants to be viewed as a credible alternative at the cutting edge.
The backdrop is a fierce contest. TSMC has already secured heavyweights like NVIDIA and AMD, while Samsung is still courting new design wins. Having poured billions of dollars into state‑of‑the‑art fabs in South Korea and the United States, the company now needs to push utilization as high as possible.
Signs of traction are emerging: Samsung recently signed a $16.5 billion deal with Tesla to produce chips for next‑generation artificial intelligence systems. Analysts suggest the collaboration could prove to be a breakthrough, opening the door to additional orders, potentially including production for Elon Musk’s xAI.
Aggressively lowering prices is a calculated gamble, but a strategic one. If the bet pays off, Samsung could reclaim a slice of market share from TSMC and firm up its standing amid rising demand for energy‑efficient 2‑nm solutions.