Friday, July 3, 2026

Samsung could begin making its most advanced 2nm chips next year

Samsung could begin making its most advanced 2nm chips next year

Earlier this week, Samsung revealed more details about its cutting-edge semiconductor fabrication technologies. They include newer-generation 2nm process nodes and its first-generation 1.4nm process. The company has now unveiled its most advanced 2nm process technology, which is scheduled to enter mass production next year.

Samsung is currently working on at least four 2nm process nodes

Samsung Foundry is Samsung Electronics̢۪ contract chip manufacturing division. So far, the company has announced six 2nm process nodes:

  • SF2 (first generation)
  • SF2P (second generation)
  • SF2P+ (third generation)
  • SF2X (fourth generation, optimized for AI and high-performance computing)
  • SF2A (automotive-focused, announced in 2024 but missing from the 2026 roadmap)
  • SF2Z (featuring BSPDN technology, announced in 2024 but missing from the 2026 roadmap)
samsung foundry sf2 sf2p sf2p+ sf2x 2nm process nodes roadmap tsmc
Samsung Foundry's and TSMC's 2nm process nodes and their roadmaps and timelines compared – Source: TrendForce

Samsung began mass production on its first-generation SF2 process last year. The first chips manufactured using this node are the Exynos 2600 processors used in the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and the Galaxy Z Flip 8.

Mass production of chips based on the second-generation SF2P process is expected to begin later this year. The Exynos 2700 processor, which is expected to power the Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27+ in select markets, is rumored to be one of the first chips built on this process. Samsung claims SF2P delivers up to 26% better power efficiency than SF2.

Samsung plans to begin mass production on its third-generation 2nm process, SF2P+, sometime between 2027 and 2028. It is expected to offer further improvements in performance and efficiency over SF2P.

In 2028, Samsung Foundry also plans to begin manufacturing chips using SF2X, a process optimized for AI and high-performance computing (HPC) applications, including AI accelerators used in servers and data centers.

SF2A and SF2Z nodes are missing from Samsung Foundry latest roadmap

The SF2A process, which Samsung announced in 2024, is missing from the company̢۪s latest roadmap. At the time, Samsung said SF2A was designed for automotive chips used in smart and connected vehicles, with a focus on maintaining reliable operation under extreme temperatures and constant vibration.

samsung foundry 2nm sf sf2 sf2a sf2p sf2x sf2z process roadmap
Samsung Foundry's 2nm process node roadmap showcased at Samsung Foundry Forum 2024 in the US – Source: Samsung Foundry

During the Samsung Foundry Forum (SFF) 2024 event in the US, Samsung also introduced SF2Z, which features Backside Power Delivery Network (BSPDN) technology.

BSPDN routes the chip̢۪s power lines on the back of the silicon wafer instead of the front. This frees up more space for signal routing, reducing interference while improving performance, power efficiency, and transistor density. However, Samsung didn̢۪t mention SF2Z during its recent SAFE Forum 2026 event, so it remains unclear whether the node has been renamed, merged into SF2P+, or delayed.

Based on the information available today, SF2P+ appears to be Samsung Foundry̢۪s most advanced announced 2nm process for mobile chips, with mass production expected in the second half of 2027 or early 2028. If Samsung follows its usual roadmap, the Exynos 2800 processor could be one of the first chips manufactured using this process.

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