Intel has made a return to the foundry business and the company is making significant investments to give incumbents like TSMC and Samsung a run for their money. Samsung's already been having a tough time dealing with TSMC's dominance of the contract chipmaking segment, it now has to keep looking over its shoulder because of Intel as well.
Samsung has been trying to speed up commercialization of highly advanced chipmaking processes in a bid to leap TSMC. The company previously confirmed that its 1.4nm fabrication process would be ready by 2027. Looks like it Intel might be ready by then to give Samsung some competition.
There won't be much smooth sailing for Samsung in the foundry business
Intel has announced that it will start making chips on the cutting-edge 1.4nm process in the coming years. The announcement was made at Intel's first foundry event where Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger announced Intel 14A for the first time, the company's name for its 1.4n process.
While Samsung and TSMC have both started making chips on the 3nm process, Intel is currently on 5nm, and it's racing to start 2nm production alongside both incumbents by 2025. The US-based chipmaker has a late start in the foundry injury but it's hoping that an increased focused on advanced processes will help it bridge the gap.
Samsung is looking to commercialize 1.4nm chips by 2027 while TSMC is also aiming for 2027-2028. Intel might be looking to get its chips out by the same time. TSMC currently accounts for almost 60% of the contract chipmaking market whlie Samsung is in a distant second place with 13% of the market.
Intel's already signing up big clients, Microsoft has become its first foundry customer by choosing Intel's 1.8nm process to manufacture chips. Intel's CEO has reiterated the company's goal to become the world's second largest foundry by 2030. This all but confirms that Intel is looking to overtake Samsung in the market, which might throw a spanner in Samsung's plans to expand its share.
