Samsung Electronics is experiencing a notable increase in requests for advanced chip production from major clients such as BYD, Google, AMD, and Tesla, according to sources cited by Nikkei Asia. The shift comes as TSMC, the industry leader, faces capacity constraints driven by surging demand for AI-related chips.
The move highlights the growing pressure on the global semiconductor supply chain, as companies seek alternatives to secure production capacity. TSMC's limited availability, caused by the AI boom, creates an opening for Samsung to capture a larger share of the contract chipmaking market.
Nikkei Asia reports the trend involves a diverse range of companies, spanning automotive, consumer electronics, and AI sectors. The exact volume of new requests has not been disclosed, though the report describes the increase as significant.
For Samsung, this presents an opportunity to expand its foundry business and compete more aggressively with TSMC. Clients may benefit from diversified supply sources, reducing reliance on a single manufacturer. The long-term impact depends on Samsung's ability to meet quality and yield requirements.
Some analysts caution that Samsung's chipmaking technology lags behind TSMC in certain advanced nodes, which could limit the types of orders it can fulfill. Capacity constraints may also persist industry-wide, tempering the relief this shift provides.