Samsung Begins Mass Production of Fourth-Generation 4nm Process

Samsung Electronics continues to advance its cutting-edge foundry technology, with mass production of its fourth-generation 4nm process officially confirmed to have begun at the end of last year. As this process is optimized for AI and high-performance computing (HPC) applications, it is expected to play a crucial role in the future recovery of Samsung’s foundry business.

According to reports, Samsung’s wafer foundry division started mass-producing the fourth-generation 4nm process, named "SF4X," in November 2023. Samsung initially began 4nm production with its first-generation process in 2021.

Compared to previous generations, SF4X features enhanced back-end-of-line (BEOL) processing and high-speed transistors, helping to reduce RC delay (which affects signal propagation speed). It also supports next-generation packaging technologies such as 2.5D and 3D integration.

According to TrendForce, TSMC’s revenue in Q4 2023 reached $28.65 billion, marking a 14.1% increase from the previous quarter. TSMC’s market share also grew from 64.7% in Q3 to 67.1% in Q4. In contrast, Samsung’s revenue for the same period was $3.26 billion, reflecting a 1.4% decline compared to Q3. Consequently, Samsung’s market share dropped from 9.1% to 8.1%.

Given these market conditions, SF4X is seen as a key driver for Samsung’s foundry expansion. The company has stabilized its 4nm yield rates, and there is strong demand from domestic and international fabless companies developing AI semiconductors.