TSMC, the Taiwanese semiconductor giant, is expected to dominate the foundry market, with its market share projected to hit an impressive 75% by 2026. The company’s exceptional reputation for delivering on time for some of the world’s biggest clients, including Apple, Qualcomm, and NVIDIA, has positioned it as the go-to supplier for cutting-edge chips. A new report indicates that TSMC’s stranglehold on the market is set to grow even stronger, thanks to its unparalleled production capabilities and a range of customers eager to secure its services. 
TSMC’s foundry market share will climb from 70% in 2025 to 75% in 2026, cementing its role as a key player in the tech industry.
Despite Samsung’s efforts to catch up with its Exynos 2600 on the 2nm process, TSMC is ahead of the competition, having started taking orders for 2nm wafers in April. Its stellar yields have attracted orders from some of the biggest names in tech, ensuring TSMC’s lead is firmly entrenched. While the 2nm wafer prices are not officially disclosed, reports suggest that the price will be around $30,000 per unit, a figure that will likely incentivize more customers to place larger orders. In contrast, Samsung’s 2nm process is yet to secure significant customers, further tilting the scales in TSMC’s favor.
3nm wafers from TSMC, priced around $20,000 each, are already in high demand, and with Samsung struggling to match TSMC’s manufacturing capabilities, many of the major players are placing their bets on the Taiwanese foundry. But the cost of cutting-edge technology comes at a price. The company’s 1.4nm node, known as Angstrom, will be a major step forward in semiconductor innovation, but its estimated $45,000 price tag per wafer for production slated for 2028 could prove challenging. Companies looking to minimize costs may lean toward dual-sourcing, balancing TSMC’s premium wafers with alternatives, but the monopoly power TSMC holds could reshape the market dynamics.
While TSMC’s technological leadership and strong client base seem unbeatable, it’s clear that as the demand for advanced chips continues to rise, so too will the costs. Major companies like NVIDIA, AMD, and others are already locked into long-term partnerships with TSMC, but there’s no doubt that competition from other foundries will remain an important factor in the years ahead.