Samsung 2nm Yield Hits 30%, Beats Expectations

According to a recent report by South Korean media outlet The Bell, Samsung’s next-generation in-house mobile processor, the Exynos 2600, is set to be manufactured using its advanced 2nm (SF2) process technology. Initial trial production has achieved a yield rate exceeding expectations at 30%, with Samsung allocating substantial resources to ensure timely mass production.

Industry insiders revealed that the development of the Exynos 2600 is progressing steadily, with trial production tests recently conducted at a backend processing facility in Korea. Despite delays in the mass production of the previous Exynos 2500 processor, which was based on the second-generation 3nm process, the Exynos 2600 is expected to proceed on schedule. Samsung aims to further improve the 2nm yield by 2025 to support the large-scale production of this processor.

The SF2 process, scheduled for commercial release in the second half of 2025, features third-generation GAA (Gate-All-Around) technology. Compared to the SF3 process, SF2 is projected to deliver a 12% performance boost, a 25% improvement in power efficiency, and a 5% reduction in chip size. The Exynos 2600, built on this technology, is expected to debut with Samsung's Galaxy S26 smartphones in the first quarter of 2026. If yield optimizations progress smoothly, mass production could begin as early as the fourth quarter of 2025.

Both Samsung's wafer foundry and system LSI divisions are reportedly working intensively on the development and production of the Exynos 2600. Sources emphasized that any further delays, following the setbacks faced by the Exynos 2500, could have severe consequences for Korea's semiconductor ecosystem.

Initially, Samsung had planned to use the Exynos 2500 in the Galaxy S25. However, due to yield issues, the production schedule was postponed, forcing the company to equip the Galaxy S25 with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor instead. During Samsung's fourth-quarter financial report meeting last month, it was disclosed that the delay in launching a flagship SoC, referring to the Exynos 2500, had contributed to continued losses in this division.

The report also highlighted that the only confirmed customers for Samsung's 2nm process at present are Japan-based Preferred Networks (PFN) and U.S.-based AI semiconductor company Ambarella. These companies plan to use the SF2X process for AI-HPC applications and SF2A for automotive solutions. Samsung mentioned in its financial report that discussions are ongoing with key clients across various fields, including mobile, HPC, and automotive applications.