Samsung enters the 1.4nm race, challenging TSMC and Intel: production to begin in 2029.
Fast Technology reported that Samsung was once considered to be lagging behind TSMC and Intel in the race for the 1.4nm advanced process technology. However, the latest reports indicate that Samsung is actively catching up with TSMC and announced the latest progress of its 1.4nm process at the recent SAFE Forum 2026, while also bringing an unexpected surprise—the company is simultaneously developing an improved iteration process called 1.4nm+.
According to media reports, Samsung’s 1.4nm process is expected to enter mass production in 2029, while its 1.4nm+ process is planned for production in 2030. In comparison, TSMC’s 1.4nm process is planned for mass production in 2028, leaving Samsung with approximately a year’s lead. However, despite lagging behind TSMC, Samsung’s overall progress is now close to Intel’s, and the competitive landscape among the three is gradually narrowing.
A key question currently of widespread concern in the industry is how Samsung will improve the yield of its advanced manufacturing processes. Reports indicate that Samsung has shifted to a methodology called “Design and Process Co-optimization (DTCO).” The core idea behind this approach is to significantly improve energy efficiency, performance, and integration per unit area by co-optimizing design and processes while maintaining existing manufacturing infrastructure.
Samsung stated that as process miniaturization progresses, the application of DTCO will become increasingly critical. Previously, this technology was used in its first and second generation 2nm GAA processes, achieving a 26% reduction in power consumption.
In terms of its wafer foundry strategy, Samsung is adopting a two-pronged approach—while continuing to advance the research and development of 1.4nm and 1.4nm+ processes, the company is also investing heavily in the development of the third-generation 2nm GAA node, which is expected to achieve mass production in 2027 or 2028.
Industry analysts believe that one of the key drivers behind Samsung’s accelerated push for 1.4nm technology is Apple. According to Apple’s chip roadmap, after two generations of 2nm processes, it plans to move to the 1.4nm node. If Samsung can successfully achieve high-quality mass production at that time, it will be highly likely to secure orders from Apple, a major customer, thus opening up new opportunities in the advanced process foundry market.
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