Samsung is all set to begin its 7nm chip production by 2018. Rumors are swirling that the Samsung Galaxy S9, the successor of the unannounced Galaxy S8, could be powered by the new 7nm chip.
Compared to the Snapdragon 835 chip that is built on the 10nm FeT technology, the 7nm chip is expected to be more energy-efficient. The powerful chipset will be available for all smartphone makers by 2018.
7nm Chip Production
As stated by Heo Kuk, the managing director of Samsung LSI Divison, the South Korean company will be introducing extreme ultraviolet exposure equipment to aid in the production process of the 7nm chipset.
"We will maximize the advantages of EUV in the 7-nanometer process and secure competitiveness in terms of performance and power consumption," says Kuk.
If the production of the chip gets completed by next year, chances are that it will be available in time for incorporation in the Galaxy S9, Samsung's flagship.
Samsung's rival TSMC plans to evaluate its own 7nm chip in Q2 2017. If everything goes according to plan, TSMC will upgrade to the 7nm chipset and supply Apple with it for the iPhone 9 in 2018.
In a pattern similar to every year, in November 2016 Samsung announced the mass production of 10nm chips, which it planned to use in the 2017 flagship devices. As a result, the impending Galaxy S8 will be powered by Snapdragon 835, which is manufactured using Samsung's 10nm technology.
Samsung Calls First Dibs On Snapdragon 835
As reported by Tech Times, Samsung is apparently on a spree to make maximum profit as it has already claimed the entire Snapdragon 835 chipset supply, leaving LG with no other option than to house Snapdragon 821 on its LG G6. This was possible especially because Samsung assisted Qualcomm in producing the chipsets, allowing it to obtain the entire supply and giving a major disadvantage to the competitors.
With the competition becoming fiercer, the chipmakers are gearing up for the most efficient manufacturing process. As TSMC appears to be the sole chip supplier for Apple for its iPhone devices, Samsung seems to be one of the top contenders to carve a niche in the chip market.
Samsung has shared that the company looks forward to experimenting and introducing the stabilization of the nanometer process. The sole motive behind this is to try diversifying its smartphones, graphics businesses, and networks.
The 7-nanometer process for instance shall secure Samsung's chances of becoming one of the best chipmakers through performance and power consumption.
