Overview
- Reports on Wednesday said Samsung has raised prices for new orders on advanced nodes with SF4 (4nm) and SF5 (5nm) up to 10–15% in some regions and 8nm near 10%, and smaller increases for Taiwanese customers.
- The move reflects heavy AI chip demand and tight leading-edge capacity at dominant rival TSMC, which has pushed some clients to shift orders to Samsung.
- U.S. export limits on advanced chipmaking tools have left Chinese firms more dependent on overseas foundries, and sources say Chinese customers have accepted some of the steepest hikes.
- Samsung’s SF4 line at Pyeongtaek has run at full capacity and must balance external wafer starts with internal needs such as base dies for its HBM memory products, and the company declined to comment on operational details.
- Markets reacted sharply to the reports with Samsung shares falling about 7% and the KOSPI tumbling more than 6%, while analysts said sustained pricing and higher utilization could make the foundry profitable as soon as next year.