Explore Samsung's 2nm process yield challenges at around 50%, competition with TSMC, and impacts on contracts with Qualcomm and Tesla. Learn about GAA technology progress.
© D. Novikov
The race for 2nm process technology is heating up, but the competitive landscape remains uneven. While TSMC continues its steady advance, Samsung faces significant challenges with its transition to GAA technology, primarily due to low chip yield rates.
Recent reports indicate that Samsung's current 2nm process yield is hovering around 50%, and after internal processing stages, it could drop to as low as 40%. These figures suggest the technology is still in its early stages, preventing the company from confidently competing for major contracts. To attract key clients like Qualcomm, yields need to reach approximately 70%—a target Samsung has yet to achieve.
Despite these hurdles, the company has made notable progress. In the latter half of 2025, yields were only about 20%, meaning they have more than doubled in less than a year. However, estimates vary depending on sources, and Samsung itself has not released precise data, leaving some information speculative.
Samsung continues to secure orders despite its challenges, including contracts from Tesla and companies in the crypto-mining equipment sector. The company also plans to begin test production at its Texas facility and is expected to launch the Exynos 2700 chip, which could be the first to utilize Samsung's second-generation 2nm GAA technology.
Overall, Samsung is pushing forward, but its position as a viable alternative to TSMC remains uncertain. The limitations of its current process could affect its competitiveness, especially as its main rival continues to develop more successful solutions at a rapid pace.