Introduction
In a significant industry development, Samsung Electronics has been awarded the contract to manufacture upcoming Tensor chipset from Google.
This collaboration marks a strategic milestone for both tech giants, with Samsung’s foundry division securing major customers and expanding its presence in the semiconductor market.
This blog post explores the implications of this partnership, Samsung’s technological advancements, and the broader landscape of the semiconductor industry.
Google Tensor G4 Chipset and Samsung’s Role
The Tensor G4 chipset will power Google’s highly anticipated Pixel 9 smartphone, scheduled for release in the near future.
This comes after Samsung’s successful production of the Tensor G3 chipset for the Pixel 8 series last year.
The Tensor G4 is expected to represent an improvement over its predecessor, the G3, with enhanced CPU capabilities.
Samsung will manufacture the Tensor G4 using its cutting-edge 4-nanometer (4nm) third-generation SF4P process.
Notably, the G3 was manufactured using the previous-generation SF4 process. This development showcases Samsung’s dedication to staying at the forefront of semiconductor technology, offering smaller and more powerful chips.
Read More: Google Pixel 8 Defies Expectations thanks to Samsung Advanced Process
What is a Tensor G4 Chipset from Google ?
The Tensor G4 Chipset, a custom-designed system-on-a-chip (SoC), will power the Google Pixel 9 series of smartphones in 2024.
Samsung is anticipated to produce the Tensor G4 on its 4LPP+ node, integrating a combination of CPU cores, including Cortex-X4, Cortex-A720, and Cortex-A520, as well as an Arm Immortalis-G715 GPU.
Rumors suggest that the Tensor G4 will also include several customized AI and machine learning accelerators.
While there is no official performance information available for the Tensor G4, expectations are high for it to deliver a notable improvement over the current Tensor G3 SoC.
Google has stressed that they designed the Tensor G3 to deliver top-tier performance in AI and machine learning workloads, and the Tensor G4 is anticipated to further enhance these capabilities.
Shift from TSMC to Samsung for Google Tensor
Originally, Google had plans to entrust the production of the Tensor G4 to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
However, due to coordination issues related to production timelines and quantities, Samsung Electronics emerged as the manufacturing partner of choice.
Samsung’s impressive strides in semiconductor production, including the 4nm third-generation process, influenced this decision.
Read More: Samsung Delays 2 nm Chip Production to 2026
Samsung’s Rising Influence in the Semiconductor Industry
Samsung Electronics’ foundry division has been steadily attracting significant customers, strengthening its position in the semiconductor market.
The company’s ability to secure high-profile contracts for 4nm and upcoming 3nm processes demonstrates its competitiveness in the industry.
One recent example is Samsung’s partnership with Design House AD Technology, a semiconductor design project for a 3nm-based server, highlighting its appeal to overseas customers in the high-performance computing (HPC) sector.
Read More: TSMC N3P To Outperform Intel 18A, Derailing Intel’s Foundry Leadership Plan by 2025
Market Dynamics
The semiconductor industry is highly dynamic and competitive. According to data from Trendforce, TSMC led the foundry industry with a 56.5% share in the second quarter, although this represented a slight dip from the first quarter’s 60.2%.
On the other hand, Samsung Electronics’ foundry division secured the second-place spot, increasing its share from 9.9% to 11.7% during the same period.
This is a testament to Samsung’s growing influence and its ability to gain traction in the market.
Read More: Intel Foundry, Even if Successful, Will Be Overshadowed by TSMC: Chang
Samsung’s Technological Advancements
Samsung Electronics is currently mass-producing its first-generation 3nm process, based on the groundbreaking Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistor technology.
The company has achieved a stable yield of more than 60%, surpassing industry expectations.
Furthermore, Samsung is actively developing its second-generation process, slated for mass production by 2024.
This steady progression has set the stage for Samsung to reach 2nm in 2025 and an astonishing 1.4nm by 2027, showcasing the company’s commitment to technological innovation.
Read More: Samsung’s 3 nm Secret: GAA Transistors
Conclusion
The partnership between Samsung Electronics and Google for the manufacturing of the Tensor G4 chipset is a significant step in the evolution of the semiconductor industry.
Samsung’s impressive technological advancements and its ability to secure major clients are testament to the company’s growing influence and competitiveness. As the semiconductor industry continues to advance, we can expect Samsung to play a pivotal role in shaping its future.
