Qualcomm has entered advanced discussions with Samsung Electronics to outsource manufacturing of its next-generation two-nanometer (2nm) chips, CEO Cristiano Amon told the Korea Economic Daily on Wednesday. These chips, slated for high-performance 5G modems and flagship mobile platforms, would leverage Samsung’s Hwaseong-based foundry, which is projected to reach full production capacity by late 2025. Qualcomm aims to secure an initial order of approximately 5 million units in the first production run, with potential scale-up to 20 million units in 2026, contingent on yield improvements. The move represents Qualcomm’s strategic shift to diversify its supply chain beyond its traditional partners and underscores the company’s push to stay at the forefront of Moore’s Law advancements as global demand for energy-efficient, high-speed semiconductors intensifies.

Speaking at CES in Las Vegas, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon identified robotics as the ‘next big wave of AI,’ highlighting an addressable market he estimates will exceed $50 billion by 2028. Amon emphasized that Qualcomm’s AI unit recorded 45% year-over-year revenue growth in Q4 2025, driven by demand for on-device neural processing in smartphones and emerging autonomous systems. He countered notions of an AI bubble, noting that Qualcomm’s diversified AI investments—ranging from XR headsets to industrial robots—provide resilient revenue streams. On autonomous driving, Amon reiterated Qualcomm’s collaboration with major automakers, including a joint development agreement with Volkswagen Group to integrate Snapdragon Ride platforms into next-generation electric vehicles, targeting production vehicles in 2026.