Google will no longer cooperate with Samsung in the production of Tensor chips - at least until 2029
Google is changing its strategic partner in the production of its own mobile Tensor processors. After four generations of cooperation with Samsung Foundry, starting with the debut chip in the Pixel 6, the American tech giant is switching to TSMC.
Here's What We Know
The first result of this cooperation, Tensor G5, will appear this year in the Pixel 10 line. It will be manufactured using the 3nm process, which puts it on a par with the flagship chips of Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek.
According to DigiTimes, the contract between Google and Taiwan's TSMC is expected to last until at least 2029, i.e. until the potential release of the Pixel 14. Google executives reportedly visited Taiwan several months ago to discuss the multi-year deal.
The move was another blow to Samsung Foundry, which has lost key customers in recent years. Apple completely switched to TSMC back in 2015, Qualcomm with the release of Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and Nvidia with the launch of RTX 4000.
Among the reasons for the refusal are customers' doubts about the confidentiality of developments that could be used by Samsung's System LSI division to create its own Exynos chips. The company is already discussing the possible spin-off of Samsung Foundry into a separate business structure, but no decision has been made yet.
Source: SamMobile
