Samsung Electronics achieved a 30% yield rate in initial tests of its 2-nanometer chip production, as the company pushes to launch its next flagship mobile processor by year-end. The Korean tech giant aims to start mass production of the Exynos 2600 chip in the fourth quarter, targeting its placement in the Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup.
The yield performance marks progress for Samsung’s foundry unit, which has struggled with advanced chip manufacturing. The company’s previous setback with the Exynos 2500 processor forced it to use Qualcomm chips in the new Galaxy S25 phones launching this week, contributing to mounting losses in its non-memory business.
Samsung’s semiconductor division has posted operating losses exceeding 1 trillion won ($750 million) per quarter recently. Meanwhile, Qualcomm’s handset revenue jumped 13.3% to $7.57 billion last quarter, partly from increased Samsung orders.
The 2nm process uses Samsung’s third-generation Gate-All-Around technology, promising 12% better performance and 25% improved power efficiency versus its predecessor. However, beyond internal chips, Samsung has secured only two external customers – Japan’s Preferred Networks and US-based Ambarella – for the advanced node so far.
