Samsung Boosts 2nm Yield to Over 40%, Plans to Debut Exynos 2600 in Galaxy S26

This progress is attributed to Han Jinman, the newly appointed head of Samsung’s Foundry Business, who has reportedly made significant strides since taking office just four months ago. Han initiated a comprehensive overhaul of the 2nm production line and operational strategies, focusing on yield improvement and business restructuring. His efforts have not only strengthened Samsung’s technical leadership but also expanded its market reach.

While 2nm development is progressing steadily, Samsung is already setting its sights on the more ambitious 1nm process. A dedicated team has been established to develop this next-generation node, with mass production currently targeted for 2029.

The Exynos 2600 chip will be based on Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistor architecture, a more advanced alternative to traditional FinFET technology. GAA’s four-sided transistor structure enables better performance and lower power consumption, making it ideal for high-performance applications.

Although Samsung was the first to mass-produce chips using a 3nm GAA process, the low yields limited its ability to reverse losses in its foundry business. However, sources indicate that yields for the 2nm process have now improved significantly—from 20–30% earlier this year to over 40%, a substantial leap compared to its 3nm efforts.

Industry analysts believe that if the Exynos 2600 launches as planned in the Galaxy S26—expected in Q1 2026—it could provide a major boost to Samsung’s foundry division and help attract more external customers.

Still, TSMC appears to be ahead in the 2nm race. Rumors suggest that its 2nm process has already achieved yields around 80% and is slated for mass production in the second half of this year. TSMC has also reportedly begun accepting client orders.