It seems like Qualcomm is getting ready to work with more than one manufacturer. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said at CES 2026 that the company is in talks with Samsung Foundry to make its next generation of 2nm Snapdragon chips, which could include the newest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 . This move brings back a partnership that had been getting weaker in recent years. Qualcomm has been relying on TSMC for its high-end silicon due to its reliability.
Qualcomm and Samsung partner for 2nm Snapdragon flagships chips production
The transition to a 2-nanometer (2nm) process represents a big new leap in mobile technology. Smaller nodes generally allow for chips that are more energy-efficient and powerful. These gains are essential as smartphones take on increasingly complex AI tasks. According to Amon, the design phase for these 2nm chips is already finished. This indicates that commercial production could begin sooner rather than later.
There is no official name for the Qualcomm processor that Samsung will make . But experts in the field say that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or a high-end version of it could be part of the deal. Qualcomm’s decision to go back to Samsung is not just about technology; it’s also a smart move to “dual-source” its production. Using only one manufacturer, like TSMC, can be risky for the supply chain. Adding Samsung back into the mix gives Qualcomm more power and security.
Samsung’s technological comeback
For a while, Samsung Foundry faced challenges in the efficiency and thermal management departments. However, the tide seems to be turning. The company has refined its fabrication process—specifically its second-generation 2nm node—to address previous issues with heat and performance.
This technical progress has already begun to draw in big clients. Last year, Samsung signed a huge deal with Tesla to make AI chips. Also, it looks like other big companies in the same field, like AMD and Google, are thinking about doing the same thing. The news of a possible Qualcomm deal even shook up the stock market. Samsung’s stock went up because investors were more confident in its ability to compete at the highest level of chip making.
Good news for competition
Qualcomm’s return to Samsung’s client list suggests that the foundry market is becoming more competitive. TSMC had almost all of the world’s most advanced mobile chips for a long time. Samsung has now shown that it can meet the strict requirements of 2nm production. This gives the industry two good choices for cutting-edge hardware. This competition is good news for most people. When the two biggest chip foundries in the world fight for contracts, it often speeds up new ideas and makes devices work better.
