Samsung Foundry’s recurring problems with 3nm engraving would have indeed got the better of its partnership with Google. The firm has now reportedly entrusted TSMC with the task of engraving its future Tensor G5 processors. This change of creamery, almost confirmed, is far from trivial.
Samsung Foundry may have been the first to produce a functional 3nm engraving, but the production and performance problems encountered by the Korean founder on this engraving seem to have definitively got the better of its partnership with Google. Until now managed by Samsung, the engraving of Tensor chips would now be entrusted to TSMC.
This is what we learn from a Korean economic media, whose comments are reported to us by Android Police. This information tends to definitively validate the persistent rumors which have been circulating, for several months already, about the potential of a change of founder for the manufacture of Google’s Tensor G5 processors, expected next year on the future Pixel 10.
A change likely beneficial for Google
In this case, Google criticized Samsung for its low yields on 3 nm engraving, but also for the lower energy efficiency obtained by its engraving protocol. This problem is also at the origin of the overheating problems encountered on certain Tensor chips already launched, as well as on numerous Samsung Exynos chips (engraved internally on the Samsung Foundry lines). A problem that Google would therefore like to no longer face in the future.
It is in this context that the migration, more than presumed, from Google to TSMC and its 3 nm “N3E” engraving occurs. A protocol that already delights Apple, MediaTek and Qualcomm, among others. This change could allow the Tensor G5 to operate at lower temperatures, but also to develop better performance while consuming less energy. Note, however, that the Tensor G4, which will power the Google Pixel 9 this fall, will still be engraved by Samsung Foundry. However, this would be the last processor affected by the agreement signed years ago between Google and Samsung.
As a reminder, Samsung Foundry was the first to launch 3 nm engraving during the summer of 2022. Although left behind at the start, TSMC was nevertheless able to get back into the race very quickly to finally offer a more efficient process than its Korean competitor, allowing it to to capture more than 60% of the 3nm market share. Samsung Foundry’s 3nm engraving, for its part, suffered from numerous problems and from uneven production which notably forced Samsung Electronics to only use its own engraving on a fraction of its latest Galaxy S smartphones.
Some sources also suggest that the firm would completely abandon its Exynos 2500 chips to replace them entirely with Qualcomm processors (engraved by TSMC, therefore) on its future Galaxy S25. Clearly, even Samsung seems to prefer TSMC to Samsung Foundry, points out Android Police… not without sarcasm.