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Samsung and Qualcomm grow stronger
According to foreign media such as U.S. information technology (IT) media, Phone Arena and Anand Tech, Samsung Electronics is scheduled to take over the consignment production of Qualcomm’s new 5G modem chip. The product that was ordered this time is’Snapdragon X65′, a new flagship 5G modem released by Qualcomm on the 10th.
The X65 is the world’s first modem that supports 10 gigabit (Gb)-class 5G communication speed and will be applied to Apple’s next-generation iPhone. “This is expected to be used the most to connect 5G networks to Apple’s iPhone models in 2021,” Fone Arena reported. “Samsung Foundry will produce 5G modem chips using 4nm process.”
In fact, Apple decided to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 5G modem by 2024. Apple plans to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon X60 5G modem from June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022. We have agreed to use a modem.”
The relationship between Samsung Electronics and Qualcomm is also growing. Earlier, Qualcomm has already entrusted the consignment production of the smartphone AP’Snapdragon 888′ to Samsung Electronics alone. The previous-generation premium mobile AP, Snapdragon 865, was made with TSMC’s 7-nano process, but from the next generation, it has been using Samsung Electronics foundry.
The 5G modem chip has been separately produced by Taiwanese TSMC and Samsung Electronics until the 5-nano process, but Samsung Electronics is expected to receive an exclusive order from the X65 where 4 nm is applied. In the industry, it is believed that Samsung Electronics won the order for the X65 and the submodel X62 at the same time. This order volume is estimated to be about 1 trillion won in terms of sales.
◇Samsung also won orders from Intel last month
Samsung Electronics also won Intel’s South Bridge volume last month. The South Bridge is responsible for controlling I/O devices and managing power in the PC. It is expected to be produced in Samsung Electronics’ 14-nano process from the second half of this year. As Samsung Electronics succeeded in winning orders this year, the possibility of additional orders in the future is predicted.
Samsung Electronics has completed the development of the 1st generation 4nm process and is expected to begin mass production in the second half of this year. The development of the 2nd generation 4nm process has also begun.
In addition, the possibility of winning an order for AMD’s cutting-edge semiconductor products is increasing as they are reviewing diversification of consignment manufacturers for some products such as graphics processing units (GPU). Trend Force predicted that the 5-14-nano foundry market share in the fourth quarter of this year would be 65% for TSMC and 35% for Samsung Electronics. In the fourth quarter of last year, the market share of Samsung Electronics is expected to increase from 70% of TSMC and 30% of Samsung Electronics.
An official in the semiconductor industry said, “Fabless (semiconductor design) companies basically do not want to have only one chip vendor. Growth is expected.”