Samsung is testing 2nd-gen 3nm SF3 node for future Exynos chips

Samsung is working on keeping the Foundry business competitive and capable of taking on TSMC. Now that the Exynos 2400 SoC appears to have had a positive start after the in-house mobile chip brand took a one-year break, Samsung Foundry is back at work. The tech giant is supposedly testing the production of more advanced chips based on the 2nd-generation 3nm process, also known as SF3.

SF3 could hit yield rates of over 60% within the first half of the year, according to reports from China and Korea (via GizChina). The imminent test run is supposedly meant to determine the performance and reliability of chips manufactured on Samsung's SF3 node.

Chips manufactured on the SF3 node can leverage gate-all-around (GAA) technology to provide greater design flexibility, higher performance, and lower power consumption, all the while increasing transistor density.

First SF3 chips could debut later this year

The first Samsung chips based on the updated SF3 node might hit the market later this year. This chip technology could debut in a new silicon designed for the Galaxy Watch smartwatch series.

The Galaxy Watch 7 lineup might be the first to use SF3 chips, and the wearables could be unveiled in July-August 2024.

Based on the positive early reception of the Exynos 2400 SoC, which powers the Galaxy S24 and S24+ in select markets, it's more than likely that the upcoming Exynos 2500 solution will debut alongside the Galaxy S25 flagship smartphones in 2025.

Furthermore, the SF3 node might also be used to manufacture the sequel to the new Exynos 2400 SoC. The latter solution was created on an advanced 4nm process, but Samsung might be developing the next-generation Exynos 2500 chip on the SF3 node.

But perhaps more importantly for Samsung's Foundry business, chips manufactured on the SF3 node might see a wider range of applications, from mobile and wearable devices to automotive, AI, and IoT.