Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon visited South Korea on April 21 and held meetings with Samsung Electronics’ foundry leadership, including President Han Jin-man, in a move that is drawing attention across the global semiconductor industry.
The discussions are widely seen as more than routine manufacturing talks, reflecting broader shifts in foundry competition and supply chain strategy. In particular, the possibility of collaboration on next-generation 2-nanometer (2nm) processes has emerged as a key focal point.
According to industry sources, Qualcomm is exploring options to manufacture future mobile application processors (APs) using Samsung’s advanced 2nm technology. The company previously relied on Samsung for high-end chip production until 2021, but later shifted significant volumes to TSMC, citing issues related to yield and thermal performance.
The latest meeting suggests a potential recalibration of that strategy. For Qualcomm, diversifying foundry partners could help mitigate production risks and strengthen its bargaining position. At the same time, reopening collaboration with Samsung may offer additional flexibility in securing advanced manufacturing capacity.
For Samsung Electronics, the implications are substantial. The company’s foundry business has faced challenges in recent years, particularly in maintaining competitiveness at cutting-edge nodes. However, improving performance and stability in its 2nm process has raised expectations for a potential turnaround.
Securing orders from a major global client like Qualcomm would carry significance beyond volume. It would serve as a strong validation of Samsung’s technological capabilities and help rebuild confidence among fabless customers—an effect often described in the industry as a “reference win.”
The discussions also come amid broader structural changes in the semiconductor industry driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Demand for high-performance chips in areas such as on-device AI and data centers is increasing, making access to advanced process nodes a critical competitive factor.
As Qualcomm expands beyond mobile into AI and automotive sectors, securing stable and scalable manufacturing capacity has become increasingly important. In this context, closer cooperation between chip designers and foundries is emerging as a strategic necessity rather than an option.
Industry observers say the outcome of Qualcomm’s foundry decision could have far-reaching implications. If collaboration with Samsung materializes, it could reshape competitive dynamics in the 2nm era and signal a shift in the balance of power within the global foundry market.
