Samsung Electronics and Qualcomm have reportedly delayed a potential agreement for Samsung to manufacture Qualcomm application processors using its 2-nanometer chip process.
According to The Bell, the two companies remain divided over pricing, even though technical concerns surrounding Samsung’s latest 2nm technology appear to have eased.
Samsung and Qualcomm Remain Split Over Pricing
The main obstacle is reportedly not related to chip performance.
Qualcomm is said to have responded positively to Samsung’s current 2nm manufacturing process, while Samsung’s own Exynos 2600 and upcoming Exynos 2700 processors have also received favorable performance reviews.
Instead, negotiations have stalled because Qualcomm is seeking lower manufacturing prices, while Samsung is resisting further discounts.
Production Could Be Pushed Into Next Year
The delay could make it difficult for Samsung to begin producing Qualcomm processors within 2026.
Semiconductor production schedules are closely linked to smartphone launch cycles, meaning prolonged negotiations can quickly affect when chips are ready for commercial devices.
As a result, the two companies may shift their discussions toward Qualcomm’s next-generation processors instead of the current product cycle.
Samsung’s 2nm Technology Shows Improvement
The latest developments suggest that Samsung has made progress with its advanced 2nm manufacturing technology.
Earlier cooperation between Samsung and Qualcomm had been limited by concerns over chip performance and production yields.
However, the current talks reportedly do not involve major technical problems.
That represents an important improvement for Samsung as it tries to compete more effectively in the advanced semiconductor foundry market.
Samsung Changes Its Foundry Strategy
The pricing dispute also highlights a change in Samsung’s broader foundry strategy.
In previous years, the company often tried to attract customers by offering more competitive prices.
Now, Samsung appears less willing to pursue low-margin contracts purely to increase market share.
The shift comes after the company secured several important customers, including Tesla and Broadcom.
Smaller Qualcomm Order Reduces Incentive for Discounts
The production volume currently being discussed with Qualcomm is believed to be relatively limited.
That may reduce Samsung’s incentive to make substantial price concessions.
With stronger demand from other strategic customers, Samsung may now be prioritizing profitability over aggressive pricing.
This could mark a broader change in how the company competes for major semiconductor contracts.
Samsung May Focus on Next-Generation Qualcomm Chips
A Samsung Electronics official cited in the report said the delay had made production within the current year increasingly difficult.
The official also indicated that discussions involving future Qualcomm products were already being considered.
This suggests that the two companies could still cooperate, even if the current chip agreement does not move forward.
Qualcomm Deal Remains Important for Samsung Foundry
Securing Qualcomm as a major customer would be significant for Samsung’s semiconductor business.
A successful agreement could strengthen Samsung’s position in advanced chip manufacturing and improve its competitiveness against other leading foundries.
However, the ongoing pricing dispute shows that Samsung is becoming more selective about the contracts it accepts.
For now, the future of the Samsung-Qualcomm 2nm chip deal will depend on whether the two companies can reach an agreement that satisfies both pricing and production requirements.
Samsung and Qualcomm had not issued immediate public comments on the reported negotiations.
