Qualcomm may not rely on TSMC alone for its next-generation flagship processors. A new report out of Korea claims the chipmaker is still in discussions with Samsung about having the company help manufacture the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, potentially splitting production between two foundries.

What the report says

According to a report from Chosun Biz, Qualcomm remains open to a dual-source arrangement even though most earlier rumors pointed to TSMC as the exclusive maker of the chip. Qualcomm is expected to unveil both the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and a Pro variant later this month.

The two companies are reportedly working through details around "specifications, pricing, and process optimization." How much of total production Samsung would actually secure, if any, remains unclear.

Why Samsung is back in contention

The renewed talks are said to be tied to improvements in Samsung's 2nm manufacturing. The report puts Samsung's yield at roughly 55%, an improvement but still behind TSMC's estimated 60% to 70%. That gap matters: Qualcomm reportedly wants yields of at least 70% before committing to large-scale contract manufacturing, which would currently favor TSMC.

Still, closing that gap could make Samsung a viable secondary supplier rather than the primary one. A dual-source setup would give Qualcomm more flexibility and leverage on pricing.

Capacity pressure from Apple

The bigger driver may be supply availability at TSMC. The Taiwanese foundry is targeting around 60,000 wafers per month of 2nm capacity by the fourth quarter of this year, but Apple has reportedly reserved more than half of that output for its own chips.

That leaves less room for other major customers. If Qualcomm struggles to lock in enough volume from TSMC, adding Samsung as a backup would help ensure it can meet demand for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 across the many Android flagships expected to use it next year.

What it means for buyers

For consumers, a split-manufacturing approach can be a double-edged sign. On one hand, it can improve chip availability and keep devices shipping on time. On the other, chips made on different processes have historically shown small differences in efficiency and thermal behavior, something enthusiasts tend to scrutinize.

For now, the arrangement is unconfirmed. Qualcomm has not detailed its foundry plans, and the reported yield figures and negotiations remain speculative until the company makes its announcement. If a deal materializes, it would mark a notable return for Samsung Foundry to Qualcomm's flagship lineup after several generations dominated by TSMC.