TSMC and Samsung Compete in 2nm Chip Production: Pricing, Yield, and AI Market Strategies

TSMC 2nm Process Wafers Priced at $30,000 with 60% Initial Yield

The race for next-generation semiconductors is heating up as TSMC and Samsung move forward with their 2nm process technologies. TSMC has announced that its wafers will carry a fixed price of $30,000 each, aimed squarely at the high-end artificial intelligence and high-performance computing markets. This marks a steep increase over current 3nm wafer costs, but it fits into TSMC's strategy of building a premium "high-price alliance" with industry leaders like Apple, Nvidia, and AMD. By contrast, Samsung is taking a more aggressive pricing stance, offering cheaper wafers with shorter delivery schedules to lure customers. This tactic has already helped Samsung secure a major deal with Tesla worth 23 trillion won for next-generation AI chips. On the production side, TSMC's roadmap shows a clear path toward large-scale output. The company expects to begin trial production within the next few months, followed by ramping up to 60,000 wafers per month in 2026 across four fabrication plants. Reports suggest that the initial yield rate for its 2nm nodes is around 60-65%, with SRAM modules achieving yields of over 90%. These numbers are strong for an early-stage process, and analysts believe TSMC does not face any major technical roadblocks to volume manufacturing. That stability is critical for customers who depend on predictable supply for high-value products such as AI accelerators and flagship mobile processors. The technical improvements offered by 2nm manufacturing are another factor driving interest. Chips built on this process can deliver a 10-15% boost in performance at the same power consumption, or alternatively, cut power requirements by 20-30% while keeping performance constant. For industries like AI servers, where power efficiency is as important as raw computing throughput, and for smartphones, where battery life is a critical factor, these advantages could translate into meaningful improvements. TSMC's early yields and clear capacity targets strengthen its competitive position, but Samsung's ability to offer cost savings and faster shipments may appeal to customers more focused on budget and turnaround times. Industry watchers point out that the 2nm era will not be defined by technology alone. While transistor scaling and power efficiency remain at the center, the business dynamics of pricing strategies, delivery timelines, and the strength of long-term partnerships will play an equally important role. TSMC's approach is to maintain high pricing but deliver stability and quality, which helps keep large customers loyal. Samsung, on the other hand, is trying to regain ground by presenting itself as the more cost-effective and flexible option, even if its current yields hover closer to 40%.

TSMC sets production price of 2nm node at $30,000 per wafer, no 'discounts' in its policy

TL;DR: TSMC sets its advanced 2nm chip production price at $30,000, targeting premium AI and HPC customers like Apple and NVIDIA with high yields and superior performance. Samsung competes by emphasizing lower prices and faster delivery despite slower yield improvements, making the 2nm market a balance of technology, cost, and partnerships. TSMC has reportedly set the production price of its bleeding-edge 2nm process at $30,000 and has established a new policy of supplying 2nm chips without any discounts according to new reports. The company plans to kick off trial production in the next 34 months, aiming for a monthly production capacity of 30,000 to 35,000 wafers. By 2026, TSMC plans to establish a production system with a monthly production capacity of 60,000 wafers across its four factories, with initial yields reportedly in the mid 60% range, and for SRAM, yields reportedly exceed 90%, with Korean media outlet DDaily reporting that there are "no obstacles to mass production". The high pricing on 2nm wafers isn't just a simple reflection of production costs, but rather a strategy to maximize profits by focusing its limited initial production capacity on "premium demand". TSMC is targeting customers with high-performance computing (HPC) and AI needs, including Apple, NVIDIA, and AMD. 2nm will deliver 10-15% more performance using the same power, or a 20-30% power reduction at the same power level, making it an alluring option for customers who want both performance boosts and power efficiency in upstream industries like AI, servers, and mobile. Samsung Foundry on the other hand is emphasizing price competitiveness in order to secure foundry customers, with Samsung's 2nm yields currently reported at around 40%, and its stabilization is considered "slower" than that of TSMC. Samsung Foundry is trying to restore technological credibility within the semiconductor foundry business, using a strategy of offering lower prices and responding quickly to secure new customers. Recently, Samsung Foundry secured an order from Tesla to build the company's next-generation AI6 processor, building Tesla's new AI6 chip on its new 2nm process node at its Taylor, Texas, USA-based fab. DDaily's industry insider explains: "TSMC is increasing the loyalty of large AI and HPC customers with a high-price, high-quality strategy, while Samsung is finding new customers with a low-price, high-speed strategy. The 2nm era will be determined by a complex mix of competitive factors, including not only technological prowess but also price, supply speed, and long-term partnerships".