Samsung Intel relationship talk is now progressing, and Samsung Intel is looking to in mesh even close, according to a new report out of the Korea. Other sources, quoted by Taiwan Economic Daily, suggested Samsung would like to establish some sort of “Samsung Intel alliance” to gain greater political and trade leverage, particularly in the light of President Trump’s administration.
US regulators have been showing a somewhat unusual amount of interest in Intel of late. The Trump administration has even taken a 10% stake in Intel, conveying unequivocal political interest. In that context, Samsung views a partnership with Intel as a means to bolster its role in the U.S. chip industry, and to dissuade Washington policy makers from imposing tariffs, they said.
The most significant area where Samsung and Intel are expected to collaborate is glass substrates. Intel have already walked back the use of glass substrate technology and they had some engineers go from Hillsboro to Samsung’s Electro-Mechanics division the U.S. Samsung still considers glass substrates as important for the future and Intel is open for licensing of its glass substrate technology, according to the report. It would allow Samsung opportunity to deliver end solutions for Team Blue so its win-win.
Amidst this, the Samsung Intel partnership rumors also trigger doubts around the process technologies. Samsung (via expansion of facilities and workforce) and Intel are only two examples: the former is pursuing 2nm nodes at its Taylor Fab, while the latter is already testing 18A technology for internal projects like Panther Lake, and beyond that. It’s a game of a conflicting interest but still I believe Samsung – Intel partnership can manage to come to the common ground in packaging and manufacturing partnerships.
Assuming it comes to fruition, one way or another, a Samsung-Intel alliance would be good for both firms in terms of technical performance and in the political winds. Intel’s rising importance to the Trump administration could also give Samsung new leverage when it comes to U.S. trade, meaning the partnership is as much a political play as a technological one.
For now, we don’t have a lot of the details, but current talks indicate a high level of interest in the Samsung Intel partnership. Whether through glass substrates or future licensing deals, such a partnership could upend how two of the largest chipmakers in the world — the two that are closest to the industry’s challenges and also the political pressures challenging it — move through the market.
FAQ
Samsung aims to leverage closer ties with Intel to obtain political and trading benefits in the US, especially in the era of Trump.
Intel has defected from glass substrates, but Samsung is still developing it. A deal might result in Samsung building final products for Intel.
Not in the near term, for conflict-of-interest reasons, but the partnership could still redound to both companies’ benefits, in packaging technology.
