Intel 18A Process Yield Hits 55%, Surpassing Samsung 2nm

Recently, Intel has delivered promising news regarding its advanced semiconductor manufacturing process. According to a report by KeyBanc Capital Markets, Intel's 18A process node (1.8nm) has achieved yield rates surpassing current levels of its competitors.

The analysis highlights that Intel's 18A development is progressing rapidly, with yield rates now exceeding those of Samsung's 2nm SF2 process, though still trailing TSMC's 2nm N2 process. This advancement indicates a strong potential for Intel to commence mass production by the end of 2025.

Intel's 18A yield has improved from 50% in the previous quarter to 55%. In comparison, Samsung's 2nm process yield is approximately 40%, showing slight improvement, while TSMC's N2 process yield stands at a robust 65%.

Steady yield enhancement is critical for Intel, especially as the 18A process is focused on internal products such as the Panther Lake CPU line. KeyBanc Capital Markets reports that Intel is on track to begin mass production of Panther Lake using the 18A process, expecting yields to reach 70% by Q4 2025. Although Intel's yield is not anticipated to surpass TSMC's, having a competitive and reliable process node represents a significant milestone.

While the future outlook of the Intel 18A node has faced uncertainty, its adoption for internal products demonstrates its viability. Intel plans to establish a strong foothold in cutting-edge technology with the 18A node before transitioning to the 14A (1.4nm) process, which will be geared toward broader market applications. This strategic move is expected to strengthen Intel's competitive positioning and potentially challenge TSMC's 14A node in the semiconductor market.