Qualcomm’s current high-end chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, is manufactured by TSMC using its 4nm process node. In the past. Qualcomm has had its flagship application processor built in some years by TSMC and by Samsung Foundry in other years. For example, the Snapdragon 855 and 865 were built by TSMC using its 7nm and enhanced 7nm nodes respectively. The Snapdragon 888 SoC and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 were produced by Samsung Foundry.
Samsung has reportedly doubled its 4nm yield from 35% to 70% nearly matching TSMC
Qualcomm might go to dual-sourcing for 2025’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy chip could outperform the regular version thanks to GAA
Since GAA surrounds the channel on all four sides, it reduces current leaks, increases the drive current, offers more precise control over current flow and chips using GAA typically have faster performance consuming less energy. TSMC plans on moving to GAA from FinFET with its 2nm process node. The bottom line is that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy chipsets, if made by Samsung Foundry, could outperform the regular version of the chip made by TSMC for reasons other than overclocking the high-performance core.
But next year could see a decline in wafer prices for 3nm production which would allow Qualcomm to use the cutting-edge node for both Qualcomm 8 Gen 4 versions regardless if they are coming from TSMC or Samsung Foundry or both.
