Samsung is making strides in the semiconductor market, aiming to challenge TSMC’s dominance. The Korean tech giant plans to become the first to introduce a cutting-edge 2nm process in the United States, ahead of TSMC. 
This move comes as Samsung accelerates its operations in the U.S. to capitalize on the growing interest from Big Tech companies in sourcing chips domestically.
Samsung’s ambitious goal is to begin mass production of its 2nm process by the first quarter of 2026 at its Taylor facility in Texas. The company has already started preparations, shifting R&D resources to ensure the project’s success. While the U.S. semiconductor market has long been dominated by TSMC, Samsung is determined to make a breakthrough. Previously, Samsung faced challenges with its U.S. production plans, having failed to ramp up production of its 4nm process despite hefty investments. However, this time the company is hopeful that its new 2nm node, which uses GAAFET technology, will give it an edge in the industry.
Despite some skepticism about Samsung’s ability to catch up with TSMC, there are positive reports about the company’s 2nm production process, with some sources claiming that Samsung has achieved yields of up to 40%. In comparison, TSMC’s 2nm yield rate is reportedly around 60%. The question remains whether Samsung can scale its production to meet demand and maintain competitive yield rates. If successful, this would not only help Samsung secure a strong position in the U.S. market but also put pressure on TSMC to accelerate its own 2nm process.
However, the story is far from clear-cut. Industry experts point out that Samsung’s efforts to surpass TSMC are often exaggerated. Critics argue that the company’s past claims about technological breakthroughs rarely materialize, citing disappointing results in previous attempts. Despite this, some believe that if Samsung can match or even come close to TSMC’s process maturity, it could lead to significant advancements in the semiconductor industry.
While TSMC currently leads the field in chip manufacturing, a viable competitor from Samsung could drive innovation and foster greater competition. This would ultimately benefit the entire industry, providing more options for companies like Intel, AMD, and Nvidia, which are all expected to use TSMC’s 2nm chips for their 2026 products. Time will tell if Samsung’s bold plans will come to fruition or if it will remain a step behind TSMC in the race to 2nm production.