Samsung Foundry's second-gen 3 nm node yields are reportedly stuck at 20%

Even though the Exynos 2500 has shown up on Geekbench on two separate occasions, it is unlikely to be used in the Galaxy S25 or Galaxy S25 Plus. This could be because Samsung still has issues with yields on its 3GAP node used to manufacture the smartphone SoC. A report from South Korean media outlet Sisa Journal paints a grim picture of the current situation.

It says the yields on Samsung's second-generation 3 nm node are at 20%. This figure was cited earlier in the year by another report. While Samsung says it is working hard to improve yields on 3 GAP, it hasn't resulted in much. Of course, the 20% figure reported by Sisa Journal could be based on old data, but they're clearly not enough to greenlight mass-production just yet.

On the other hand, Samsung's first-generation 3 nm node, 3 GAA, is faring marginally better at 60%. Unfortunately, it has garnered little interest from major players, with its only customer being a cryptocurrency ASIC manufacturer. Demand for its last-gen nodes aren't much better, resulting in Samsung winding down production of up to 50% of its facilities.