TSMC reportedly declines outsourcing deal for Samsung’s Exynos chips

TSMC will not form any partnership with Samsung to mass-produce its new flagship Exynos series chips, according to South Korea-based tech blogger @Jukanlosreve on X and reported by Chinese media outlet Icsmart. The blogger’s original post has since been deleted. Previous reports had suggested Samsung was considering outsourcing the Exynos chips to TSMC. Samsung is facing low 20% yields on its second-generation 3nm GAA process, far below its 70% target, while TSMC’s 2nm process has reportedly achieved a 60% yield, according to sources referenced by Icsmart. When asked why TSMC declined to cooperate with Samsung, the informant claimed that there were concerns the Korean tech giant could gain insight into TSMC’s trade secrets, particularly how it maintains an acceptable yield, which could give Samsung an edge in achieving its future goals. [Icsmart, in Chinese]