Samsung, one of the world's biggest semiconductor chipmakers, has reportedly received a contract to make 2nm chips for Ambarella. It is a US-based fabless chipmaker that makes chips for cameras and advanced safety features (such as ADAS) for vehicles.
Samsung to make 2nm chips for Ambarella starting 2026
It is being reported by TheElec that Ambarella has awarded a contract to Samsung Foundry to make 2nm chips. The company reportedly received this contract recently, and it is planning to tape out 2nm chips for Ambarella next year and start the mass production of those chips sometime in 2026 or 2027.
A few months ago, Samsung Foundry showcased a new 2nm technology process called SF2A, specifically designed for automotive semiconductor chips. The company said it plans to fully ready SF2A in 2027. However, as Ambarella said its new chip will be ready in 2026, it is possible for Samsung to prepone its semiconductor chip fabrication process.
Ambarella is already a Samsung Foundry client, and the South Korean firm makes 5nm chips for the American firm's Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) product. It received that contract in February earlier this year.
Samsung was planning to dethrone TSMC by 2030 as the biggest foundry, but that plan doesn't appear to be going well. Despite huge investments, the company is falling further behind its Taiwanese rival. According to data from TrendForce, TSMC's market share was 62.3% in the second quarter of this year, while Samsung Foundry's market share was just 11.5%.
While the company is trying to get big clients like Apple, AMD, MediaTek, and Nvidia, those firms are currently sticking to TSMC for their most advanced products. Qualcomm gets some of its chips made by Samsung Foundry and it has been testing Samsung's 3nm and 4nm processes, but hasn't awarded Samsung with any new contract yet.