Samsung Starts 1nm Chip R&D for 2029 Production

According to recent reports from South Korea, Samsung Electronics is making steady progress with its advanced 2nm GAA (SF2) process node and has now set its sights on an even more ambitious goal—developing 1nm process technology. A dedicated team has been formed to lead the 1nm development initiative, with plans for mass production scheduled for 2029.

Samsung's 2nm process, known as SF2, is expected to debut in the second half of 2025. Built on the third-generation GAA (Gate-All-Around) transistor architecture, SF2 promises significant improvements over the previous SF3 node. Performance is projected to increase by 12%, power efficiency by 25%, and chip area is expected to shrink by 5%.

Yield rates for the SF2 process are also on the rise. Initial reports indicated a yield of 30%, which has now improved to 40%. Mass production is anticipated to begin in Q4 2025. Samsung's upcoming flagship mobile processor, the Exynos 2600, is expected to be the first product manufactured using this technology and will likely debut in the Galaxy S26 smartphone, set to launch in Q1 2026.

Meanwhile, TSMC appears to be ahead in the 2nm race, with rumored yields already reaching 80% and mass production slated to begin later this year. TSMC is also reportedly accepting customer orders for its 2nm node.

In a strategic move to focus resources, Samsung has allegedly halted development on its 1.4nm process and is reallocating efforts toward perfecting its 2nm and next-generation 1nm nodes. However, mass production of 1nm chips will require ASML's cutting-edge High-NA EUV lithography systems—equipment that Samsung has not yet secured.