Samsung Begins Industry’s First Production Of 10-Nanometer Chips

Samsung Electronics said Monday that it had officially begun mass production of 10-nanometer application processors for the first time in the global semiconductor industry, according to a new report from Reuters.

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The South Korean tech giant said that the chips made from the process will power an IT product to be launched at some point next year, likely a reference to the Galaxy S8.

“The industry’s first mass production of 10nm FinFET technology demonstrates our leadership in advanced process technology,” said Jong-Shik Yoon, Samsung Electronics’ vice president.

The South Korean tech giant said its 10-nanometer APs had 27 percent better performance, saved 40 percent more energy and increased the number of chips per wafer 30 percent compared to the 14-nanometer APs that made up the previous generation.

“The mass production of this 10-nano APs has proven the competitive edge of Samsung Electronics’ fine process technology,” said Yoon.

Samsung plans to use the new chips in a “new device,” as put forth in a statement released by the company. It did not specify exactly what device will use the 10nm chips, however the device is set to launch early next year. Considering this, it’s highly likely that the device could be Samsung’s next flagship smartphone after the Galaxy S7, the Galaxy S8.

The “early next year” prediction helps in proving this educated guess, as Samsung generally releases the newest model of its “S” lineup in the first half of the year, while releasing the newest model of the “Note” lineup in the second half. No word on the Galaxy Note 7’s successor, however.

After the Galaxy Note 7 disaster, is anyone looking forward to the release of the Galaxy S8?

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