Samsung officially announced its new 3nm chip technology a few weeks ago. But the Korean giant would introduce the world’s first such processor next week. Samsung unveiled the 3nm chip’s new Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistor architecture, which is claimed to be significantly more efficient and faster than current 5nm chips.
While Samsung has begun mass production of the new 3nm chips that will hopefully one day power flagship phones like the Galaxy S, it’s unclear what those devices might be. It’s also unclear if Samsung has a chance of stealing any business from TSMC. The Taiwanese foundry is currently building the most important mobile processors in the world.
Samsung’s new 3nm chips look great on paper
Samsung said in its initial announcement that the new 3nm GAA chips will provide many reasons to upgrade from the current 5nm technology. GAA technology will bring substantial efficiency gains that should improve battery life. This is in addition to significant performance improvements and size reduction:
In addition, GAA’s design flexibility is highly advantageous for Design Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO)1, helping to increase power, performance and area (PPA) benefits. Compared with the 5nm process, the first-generation 3nm process can reduce power consumption by up to 45%, improve performance by 23%, and reduce the area by 16% compared with 5nm, while the second-generation 3nm process generation is to reduce power consumption by up to 50%, improve performance by 30% and reduce area by 35%.
But specs alone aren’t enough to guarantee Samsung’s semiconductor business success in winning orders for 3nm chips from major companies.
TSMC continues to be Samsung’s main rival. Among others, TSMC manufactures all of the A- and M-series chips that Apple uses in iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Even the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chips that will power many Android flagships in the second half of 2022 come from TSMC factories.
Not to mention, Samsung dropped the ball on the Exynos 2200, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 equivalent. The processor powers some versions of the Galaxy S22, having caused a major PR nightmare for Samsung earlier this year.
Samsung also mass-produced the original Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor before Qualcomm switched to TSMC.
When will Samsung use 3nm chips in its Galaxy S smartphones?
Samsung has pledged to create a new flagship chip for future flagship phones after the Galaxy S22 throttling disaster. The company didn’t provide details and it’s unclear whether the chip will be based on the new 3nm GAA technology.
A Korean report indicates that Samsung has scheduled a 3nm chip launch event for July 25. But the first company to buy the new Samsung chip will be a Chinese cryptocurrency mining company. This is not the kind of customer who will help Samsung steal business from TSMC.
Additionally, reports indicate that Samsung is still struggling to increase the yield of its 3nm chips to make them profitable. And Samsung is far from increasing production of new processors.
Meanwhile, TSMC will start manufacturing 3nm FinFET chips this month. GAA chips will follow in 2025.