TSMC Plans Advanced Wafer Price Hike for 2027
According to South Korean media, TSMC is planning a new price adjustment. The company will increase prices for its most advanced wafers by approximately 6% to 8%. This significant change takes effect in the first quarter of 2027. Furthermore, this hike comes on top of a previously decided 10% to 20% increase. The manufacturer attributes this aggressive pricing strategy to rising manufacturing costs and escalating electricity expenses.
Surging Demand for 2-Nanometer Technology
Meanwhile, semiconductor industry sources report a massive surge in orders. Demand for TSMC’s 2-nanometer manufacturing process is growing rapidly. Consequently, the enterprise has elevated its wafer order targets by 15% to 20% above original projections.
To manage this remarkable growth, TSMC is taking decisive action. The company is transitioning five dedicated 2-nanometer mass production facilities into full operational status. These advanced factories are located in areas like Hsinchu Baoshan and Kaohsiung. However, this intense concentration of capacity creates immediate challenges. Specifically, some clients now struggle to secure any additional wafer quotas.
Samsung Seeks New Foundry Opportunities
Currently, leading chip designers like Qualcomm and AMD face a difficult situation. They must navigate mounting manufacturing costs and the inherent risks of a single supply chain. As a result, certain customers are actively seeking alternative supply sources beyond TSMC. Therefore, Samsung Electronics’ foundry business is encountering potential opportunities to capture these diverted orders.
Samsung is aggressively advancing its second-generation 2-nanometer SF2P process. The ambitious manufacturer aims to boost production yields above 70%. Ultimately, if Samsung successfully validates the stability of these yields, its foundry division stands ready. It could easily absorb the advanced process orders shifting away from TSMC.
