Samsung might cancel the Exynos 2600 chipset due to significant production challenges with its 2nm fabrication process. Low production yields of only 10-20% make mass production unviable.
These yield issues aren't new for Samsung, as its 3nm process for the Exynos 2500 faced similar problems. This has fueled speculation about Samsung potentially outsourcing production to TSMC.
Complicating matters, Samsung has reportedly closed facilities using older technologies and is restructuring its application processor development team. South Korea's 52-hour workweek regulation further limits its workforce.
While outsourcing to TSMC could resolve yield problems, it might increase production costs, potentially leading to higher retail prices for Samsung devices. Read more about industry trends.
Despite these setbacks, Samsung Foundry aims to improve its 2nm process. However, the future of Exynos remains uncertain. Learn about competition in the tech industry.
For consumers, Samsung's potential shift to Snapdragon 8 Elite or MediaTek Dimensity 9400 for the Galaxy S25 series could offer better performance. However, the Exynos 2600's potential demise underscores Samsung's challenges in balancing innovation and cost. Explore the impact of AI on tech investments.