AMD is said to be holding talks with Samsung about making some of its future chips to offset TSMC’s constrained supply of cutting-edge wafers
AMD is reportedly in talks with Samsung to manufacture some of its future processors beginning in 2028, according to sources cited by Nikkei Asia. This potential partnership represents a significant departure from AMD’s long-standing exclusive relationship with TSMC, which has produced virtually all of AMD’s advanced chips since the company spun off its manufacturing operations in 2008.
The move is intended to address constraints in TSMC’s supply of cutting-edge wafers, a critical concern as demand for advanced semiconductors continues to outpace manufacturing capacity. Industry observers speculate that Samsung would likely produce lower-tier components rather than flagship processors, with potential candidates including budget-focused laptop APUs or Ryzen IO chiplets.
While AMD and TSMC have maintained one of the semiconductor industry’s most successful partnerships, with AMD’s current Ryzen desktop processors entirely manufactured by TSMC, this development underscores growing industry concerns about wafer capacity constraints at the world’s leading advanced chip foundry. By diversifying its manufacturing partners, AMD aims to ensure reliable supply chains for its expanding processor portfolio while potentially reducing pressure on TSMC’s constrained production capabilities.