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Samsung Raises Foundry Prices Up to 15% as AI Demand Strengthens Its Leverage

Samsung’s July price increases reflect firmer pricing power from AI-driven capacity limits at TSMC, potentially hastening the foundry’s return to profit.

Overview

  • The Reuters report on Wednesday said Samsung raised prices for new orders by up to 15%, with SF4 (4nm) and SF5 (5nm) seeing the largest hikes and 8nm up about 10%.
  • Price lifts vary by customer and region, with U.S. and Chinese clients facing roughly 10%–15% increases on SF4, while Taiwanese customers saw smaller 5%–10% bumps.
  • The move follows months of full utilization at Samsung’s Pyeongtaek SF4 line and a wave of new or expanded deals with firms such as Nvidia, Broadcom, Apple and Tesla that have increased demand for Samsung capacity.
  • Analysts say the hikes stem from AI infrastructure demand that has booked out TSMC’s leading-edge fabs, giving Samsung uncommon pricing room and a path for its foundry unit to return to profit.
  • Markets reacted sharply to the reports with Samsung shares and the KOSPI falling, and the wider sector faces higher wafer costs that could pass through to device makers and consumers.