Qualcomm, the leading manufacturer of mobile processors, is testing prototypes of its next-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chips, which will be based on advanced 2nm process technology. The company has asked both Samsung Foundry and TSMC, two major chipmakers, to produce samples of 2nm chips and will decide which to partner with based on performance and yield results.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chips are expected to go into mass production in late 2025 and power flagship smartphones in 2026. 2nm process technology promises significant improvements in performance, power efficiency, and chip size over current 4nm or 3nm processes. However, the 2nm process also poses challenges in terms of technical feasibility and cost.

Qualcomm has adopted a multi-fab strategy to reduce the risk of relying on a single supplier to manufacture its chips. The company has previously worked with both Samsung and TSMC for its Snapdragon chips and recently ordered a prototype 2nm chipset from each of them. Prototype projects, also known as multi-wafer projects (MWP), involve building multiple chip designs on a single wafer and evaluating their performance and yield potential.

According to sources, Qualcomm will compare results from Samsung and TSMC and choose the one that offers the best quality and quantity of 2nm chips. A decision is expected by the end of this year after a prototyping phase that could take six months to a year. Sources also said Qualcomm may split its orders between Samsung and TSMC depending on market demand and supply conditions.

Both Samsung and TSMC are competing to secure orders from Qualcomm as well as advance their own 2nm process technology. Samsung has announced that it plans to mass produce its 2nm chips in 2025, using its Get-All-Around (GAA) technology, which improves transistor structure and performance. On the other hand, TSMC also said it will begin mass production of its 2nm chips in 2025, using its FinFET Plus technology, which increases transistor density and performance.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chips will be the successors of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chips, which are expected to launch later this year. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chips will be manufactured by TSMC, using its 3nm process technology, and will feature upgraded CPU and GPU cores. Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chips will power next-generation Android flagship smartphones, such as the OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

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