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Qualcomm CEO Visits Samsung Foundry in Korea for 2nm Chip Production Talks

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Qualcomm CEO Flies to Korea, Hunting 2nm Wafers at Samsung and LPDDR Supply at SK Hynix

Qualcomm, which has recently depended heavily on TSMC for manufacturing its flagship chipsets, may be preparing for a strategic shift in its production partnerships. The company is reportedly exploring a renewed collaboration with Samsung Foundry for its next-generation processors, signaling a potential change in its long-standing supply chain approach for high-end mobile chips.

According to reports, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon has traveled to South Korea to engage in high-level discussions with Samsung executives. The primary focus of these meetings is understood to be the production of the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset, which is expected to be built using Samsung’s advanced 2nm manufacturing process. This move suggests that Qualcomm is seriously considering diversifying its semiconductor manufacturing partners once again.

One of the key reasons behind this possible shift is believed to be improvements in Samsung’s foundry performance, particularly in yield efficiency, along with rising manufacturing costs across the industry. These factors are reportedly making Samsung a more competitive option for next-generation chip production, especially as demand for more efficient and powerful mobile processors continues to grow.

During his visit, Amon is also reported to have met with executives from SK Hynix, indicating broader discussions around the semiconductor supply ecosystem in South Korea. This highlights Qualcomm’s ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships across multiple key players in the industry as it prepares for future product generations.

If finalized, this partnership could mark Qualcomm’s return to Samsung’s foundry business after relying primarily on TSMC in recent years. Such a development would not only reshape Qualcomm’s manufacturing strategy but could also intensify competition in the advanced semiconductor production space, particularly in the race toward 2nm technology leadership.

SK Hynix Plans US Listing to Fund AI Expansion

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SK Hynix said it plans a confidential filing for a U.S. stock market listing in the second half of 2026, a move that could raise up to $14 billion and become one of the largest offerings in recent years.

The South Korean chipmaker said it aims to complete the listing within 2026, though the final size, structure and timing have not yet been determined. A source familiar with the discussions said the company may sell around 2% to 3% of its shares, using the proceeds to help finance new chip plants in Yongin, South Korea, and Indiana in the United States.

The plan comes as SK Hynix continues to expand production to meet strong demand for memory chips used in artificial intelligence data centers. The company is one of the world’s biggest memory chipmakers and has been increasing investment as AI infrastructure spending rises globally.

Management has also framed the U.S. listing as a way to achieve a better market valuation by being compared more directly with American semiconductor peers. Analysts say such a move could highlight SK Hynix’s profitability and technological strengths more clearly for global investors.

At the same time, the plan has drawn criticism from some shareholder advocates, who argue that issuing new shares could dilute existing investors. They have instead called for buybacks and alternative listing structures that would preserve shareholder value while still supporting a U.S. market debut.

SK Hynix Places $8B Order for ASML Chip Tools

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SK Hynix has announced a major purchase of chipmaking equipment from ASML, committing nearly $8 billion in what is the largest publicly disclosed order for the Dutch supplier’s lithography systems.

The deal covers extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines, which are critical for producing advanced semiconductors used in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. The equipment will be delivered by the end of 2027 and is expected to support the company’s next-generation production capacity.

Analysts say the tools will be deployed across SK Hynix’s upcoming Yongin facility as well as its M15X plant in Cheongju, both of which are key to scaling production of high-bandwidth memory and advanced DRAM chips.

The investment reflects strong demand for AI-related semiconductors, where memory chips play a central role. It also signals SK Hynix’s effort to secure manufacturing capacity ahead of competitors in a tightening supply environment.

The order highlights the growing importance of EUV technology in enabling smaller, faster and more efficient chips, as the semiconductor industry continues to evolve around AI-driven workloads.