Samsung Foundry's 4nm capacity sells out through 2027 as AI demand surges
In brief
- Samsung's 4nm node fully subscribed through 2026, with bookings extending into 2027
- AI infrastructure and automotive demand drive sellout; new customers face 15% price premiums
- Samsung repurposing 4nm lines for logic processors and HBM base dies in AI accelerators
- Company in talks with Chinese automakers including BYD for autonomous driving chips
Capacity crunch and premium pricing
Samsung's 4nm node is fully subscribed. Existing customers have locked up capacity, and new customers are being told to wait or pay a premium. The company is raising prices approximately 15% on both its 4nm and 5nm processes for new customers, a move that reflects the imbalance between supply and demand across the foundry market.
This pricing power marks a shift in the semiconductor landscape. Sold-out foundry capacity at premium pricing signals that demand is running well ahead of supply through at least the middle of the decade.
Repurposing advanced nodes
Samsung also plans to repurpose its established 4nm lines for a broader product mix, including logic processing units and high-bandwidth memory base dies. HBM base dies are a critical component in AI accelerator stacks, the kind used in data centers running large language models. A production ramp for 4nm is targeted for the second half of 2026.
The company's roadmap extends further out. Samsung has outlined plans for 2nm mass production targeting 2025, with a 1.4nm process originally scheduled for 2027, though the company has signaled those timelines may shift.
Automotive demand from China
Samsung is in active discussions with Chinese automakers, including BYD, about supplying 4nm and 2nm chips for autonomous driving system-on-chips. BYD is the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer by volume, making it a strategically important customer for the foundry.
These talks underscore how AI and automotive electrification are reshaping semiconductor demand. Capacity constraints at leading foundries now ripple across multiple sectors, from cloud infrastructure to next-generation vehicles.
