Samsung Targets 1-Nanometer Production Process for 2029

Process Technologies Samsung Targets 1-Nanometer Production Process for 2029

2025-04-14 From Sebastian Gerstl | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Major leap forward in production: According to local media reports, Samsung has formed a team to develop a 1 nm process technology with high-NA EUV machines. Mass production is set to start by 2029.

The Samsung foundry roadmap currently only goes as far as the planned introduction of the 1.4-nanometer process by 2027. The South Korean semiconductor manufacturer has now formed a development team with the aim of achieving series production of a 1-nanometer manufacturing process by 2029.(Image: Samsung) — The Samsung foundry roadmap currently only goes as far as the planned introduction of the 1.4-nanometer process by 2027. The South Korean semiconductor manufacturer has now formed a development team with the aim of achieving series production of a 1-nanometer manufacturing process by 2029.
(Image: Samsung)

Samsung Foundry had recently fallen behind TSMC in terms of manufacturing processes, but plans are now set to pick up speed again: According to a report in the Seoul Economic Daily, the company is working on a 1-nanometer manufacturing process that is set to go into mass production from 2029.

A new development team has been set up internally to work on the necessary technologies, including the use of high-NA-EUV exposure systems. It is not yet clear whether corresponding machines have already been ordered from the supplier ASML.

The move comes amid technical and strategic challenges. In March, Samsung had denied speculation about the discontinuation of 1.4 nm development, but admitted delays in the project. The focus is currently on the 2 nm process (SF2), which is expected to be ready for production by the end of 2025. According to industry estimates, however, current yields are only around 30%, which makes volume production this year unlikely.

In comparison, competitor TSMC appears to be much further ahead in 2 nm production. According to reports, TSMC plans to produce 60,000 wafers by the end of the year - with yields of over 60% and unit prices of up to 30,000 US dollars per wafer. Samsung is lagging even further behind in 3 nm technology. Yields in the region of 10 % are reported here.

Against this backdrop, Samsung's foundry division has struggled in recent quarters. According to TrendForce, its market share fell to 8.2% in the second quarter of 2024 - compared to 14% in the previous year. This raises questions about future willingness to invest in leading semiconductor technologies.

By focusing on a 1 nm process, Samsung is nevertheless pursuing a clear goal: to catch up technologically and play a stronger role again in the advanced foundry market. The decisive factor will be whether the technical changeover - particularly with regard to new design concepts and high-NA-EUV equipment - succeeds within the planned time frame. Samsung's officially published technology roadmap currently ends in 2027.(sg)

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Date: 08.12.2025

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