Qualcomm plans to dual-source its second-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, teaming up with Samsung and TSMC for production. Samsung will use its Hwaseong S3 factory, producing 1,000 12-inch wafers monthly, aimed for Galaxy devices in late 2024, potentially too late for the Galaxy S26 series. TSMC will also make a version on a 3nm node. Additionally, Qualcomm has a 4nm chipset for Samsung’s Project Moohan eXtended Reality headsets. While Samsung’s deal utilizes only 15% of its 2nm capacity, it indicates confidence in its foundry, attracting more clients. TSMC’s 2nm plans are reportedly delayed until 2026.
It appears that Qualcomm intends to dual source the second generation of Snapdragon 8 Elite. According to the Korean publication Sedaily, Qualcomm and Samsung have made an agreement to manufacture the chip on the cutting-edge 2nm node, while TSMC will create a variant of the chip using a 3nm node.
Samsung will be producing the chips at its Hwaseong S3 facility, generating a thousand 12-inch wafers monthly. These chips are slated for use in Galaxy devices in the latter half of next year. If accurate, this timing may be too late for the Galaxy S26 series, potentially targeting the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 (as well as the Tab S11 series).
Timeline for Samsung’s Gate-All-Around (GAA) nodes
Additionally, reports indicate that the two companies have finalized a similar agreement for another chip. Qualcomm has developed a 4nm chipset intended for eXtended Reality (XR) headsets that will support Samsung’s Project Moohan, which is set to launch later this year. Samsung is also in the works with two other XR headsets, Project Haean and Project Jinju, although it’s currently uncertain what chips will power those devices.
Samsung can produce 7,000 12-inch wafers using its 2nm technology, meaning the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2nd gen partnership represents only 15% of its output capacity. However, sources suggest this collaboration signifies confidence in Samsung’s foundries, which may help them attract more clients.
Moreover, some of the 2nm capacity will be designated for the Exynos 2600 chipset, set to be “definitely” integrated into the Galaxy S26 series (at least according to leaks). Yet, it remains unclear if all S26 models will utilize Exynos, as this hinges on when TSMC-manufactured Elite 2 chips become available (since the Samsung-produced versions will debut later in the year). Further details are expected when Qualcomm reveals the Elite 2 in October.
The evolution of transistor design
Regarding TSMC’s own 2nm initiatives, reports suggest that Apple has postponed its transition to 2nm until 2026 due to low yield rates. This likely influenced the Qualcomm/Samsung agreement, as Apple routinely secures the majority, if not all, of the available capacity on TSMC’s leading-edge nodes.
Source (in Korean)