TSMC and Samsung suffering from poor 10nm yields?

Posted on Friday, December 23 2016 @ 13:56 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Industry sources confided to DigiTimes that both TSMC and Samsung are having issues with their 10nm nodes. Yields for TSMC's 10nm process reportedly are lower than what the foundry expected, which may disrupt the launch schedule of clients like Apple, HiSilicon and MediaTek. Samsung suffers from the same issue, low yields on its 10nm process node reportedly prompted Qualcomm to revise its roadmap to keep more chip on the 14nm node:
TSMC is scheduled to start making Apple's A10X chips for the next-generation iPad series slated for launch in March 2017. Unsatisfactory yields for the foundry's 10nm process could disrupt the schedule, the sources indicated.

TSMC reportedly will also manufacture Apple's A11 chips for use in the iPhone 8 with volume production scheduled to kick off in the second quarter of 2017, the sources said.

Meanwhile, yield rates for Samsung's 10nm process technology have been low prompting Qualcomm to turn cautious about its product roadmap for 2017, the sources said. Qualcomm originally planned for the Snapdragon 835 and other chips including the 660 (codenamed 8976 Plus) built using Samsung's 10nm process, but has revised its roadmap by having only the 835-series made using the newer node technology.

Qualcomm will still have several 14nm chips including the Snapdragon 660-series slated for launch in 2017, the sources identified.


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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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