Tag: Wafer (electronics)

ManufacturingSemiconductorsTechnology

Industry Sources Cast Doubt on Qualcomm and MediaTek Transition to Samsung’s 2nm Chip Production

New reports suggest Qualcomm and MediaTek are unlikely to shift 2nm chip production to Samsung Foundry despite earlier speculation. Industry sources indicate timing constraints and acceptable TSMC pricing make such a transition improbable. The semiconductor giants appear committed to maintaining technological parity with Apple through existing partnerships.

Timing Constraints Challenge Foundry Transition

Recent speculation about Qualcomm and MediaTek switching to Samsung Foundry for their 2nm chip orders appears increasingly unlikely, according to supply chain sources familiar with the matter. The reports, which initially suggested both semiconductor designers were exploring alternatives to TSMC due to rising costs, now face significant timing challenges that make such a transition impractical for upcoming product cycles.

by Aaron Vale
ManufacturingSemiconductors

Nvidia’s US Chip Manufacturing Faces Advanced Packaging Bottleneck Despite Arizona Production Start

Nvidia celebrates first Blackwell wafers from TSMC’s Arizona facility while facing continued reliance on Taiwanese packaging plants for top-tier GPUs. The advanced CoWoS packaging technology required for high-performance chips remains concentrated in Taiwan until US alternatives emerge in coming years.

US Manufacturing Milestone Meets Packaging Reality

Nvidia has reportedly begun producing chips at TSMC‘s Arizona facility, with CEO Jensen Huang celebrating the first Blackwell wafer from the Fab21 plant. However, sources indicate that turning these silicon wafers into complete, high-performance products may still require shipping them to Taiwan for advanced packaging processes that remain concentrated in the island nation.

by Elijah Porter