Samsung has secured US AI chip firm Ambarella as a customer for 2-nanometer (nm) foundry, TheElec has learned.
The South Korean chipmaker already secured Ambarella as a customer its 5nm process node for the latter’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) with self-driving feature in February.
The South Korean chipmaker recently won the 2nm project and is aiming to tape-out next year. Commercial production is expected in late 2026 or 2027.
In June, Samsung showcased its 2nm process node called SF2A aimed at automotive chips, which it said will launch in 2027.
But sources said Ambarella is aiming for commercial production to start in 2026 so Samsung’s new process node will likely go live earlier than initially scheduled.
Samsung’s partnership with Ambarella is expected to be a good reference for the South Korean chipmaker to secure more customers for its advanced process nodes.
Earlier this month, market tracker TrendForce said TSMC had a 62.3% market share in foundry in the second quarter, while runner-up Samsung had 11.5%.
TSMC has big customers such as Apple, Nvidia, Qualcomm, and AMD for its most advanced nodes while Samsung has yet to secure such large clients.
Samsung Foundry does manufacture chips for Nvidia, AMD, and Intel but not for the most advanced nodes, sources said.
It does continue to test advanced nodes with Qualcomm, though this has yet to lead to mass production, they added.
