Samsung chases TSMC on 5nm chips, but already thinks of 3nm in 2021

Samsung and TSMC are in the running for what will be the leading role in the transition to 5nm technology. The two giants are tight and after TSMC also the Korean company has announced that it has given the go to the adaptation of the production lines for the realization of the chips with production process at 5nm EUV.

Samsung Semiconductor should take about three months to adjust the plant located on the Hwaseong campus in South Korea, therefore production should start around June and then stabilize over 6 months. This, of course, after a first phase that involves tests, validations of various types and any optimizations.

It is therefore expected that Samsung will actually be "ready" towards the end of the year, most likely at the beginning of 2021, this despite the fact that the company already has several orders, these include Qualcomm's Snapdragon X60 modem.

TSMC is currently at a more advanced stage, however, being the only two 5nm chip suppliers, Samsung is also expected to see orders grow significantly. As for the immediate future, already in 2021 Samsung will begin the adaptation of the production lines for the next 3nm node, hoping to bring the first chips to the market in 2022 (Q3 / Q4, editor's note).

Moving to TSMC, the Taiwanese giant completed the 5nm EUV production plant in December 2019 and it should be fully operational by the first half of the year (good news then for Apple and its A14). From this it is therefore clear that Samsung is about 6 months behind the competitor.

TSMC also announced that it has already invested over 20 billion euros for the move to the next 3nm node; during 2020 the production plant will be finished and volume production will begin towards the end of 2022.