Samsung Exits 8-Inch Foundry Business by 2030
Samsung will phase out its 8-inch chip production, a move that comes as TSMC also scales back similar output.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Semiconductors
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Samsung has told customers it will fully exit the 8-inch foundry business by 2030, having stopped accepting orders for new 8-inch products in 2026. The company is closing its 8-inch lines in phases, starting with one of its three fabs by the end of 2026.
Why it matters
Samsung is concentrating resources on advanced manufacturing processes using 12-inch wafers, shifting away from older legacy-node capacity. The closures are expected to affect fabless chip designers that rely on 8-inch production, particularly in South Korea.
Samsung is shutting down three 8-inch fabs in stages, with one closure scheduled for the end of 2026 and full exit by 2030. Analysts estimate the cuts will reduce global 8-inch wafer output by 2.4% in 2026, though the exact effect on supply remains uncertain.
The players
Samsung
Samsung is a South Korean electronics conglomerate whose semiconductor division is one of the largest chip foundry operators in the world.
TSMC
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is the world's largest contract chipmaker, and it is also scaling back its own 8-inch wafer production.
DB HiTek
DB HiTek is a South Korean semiconductor foundry that has reportedly taken on substantial 8-inch capacity for existing customers.
SK Keyfoundry
SK Keyfoundry is a South Korean foundry that has reportedly allocated significant 8-inch capacity to its existing customers.
The details
Samsung shut its 8-inch lines for power semiconductors, display driver ICs and image sensors in April, and the facilities previously made DDIs, power management ICs and microcontrollers. DB HiTek and SK Keyfoundry have reportedly allocated substantial 8-inch capacity to existing customers, while some fabless firms are preparing to secure more Samsung volume and build inventories.
Timeline
January 2026: Samsung decided to close one of its three 8-inch fabs.
April 2026: Samsung shut down its 8-inch lines for power, DDI and image sensor chips.
2026: Samsung stopped accepting orders for new 8-inch products.
End of 2026: Scheduled closure of one 8-inch fab.
End of 2030: Samsung plans to shut down all 8-inch production.
The Tech Race
Samsung's exit follows the global semiconductor shortage of the early 2020s, when mature-node chips used in cars and appliances became scarce. Its move to withdraw from 8-inch production runs against that period's push to add legacy capacity, and it may prolong supply pressure on older chips.
Companies that design chips for cars, appliances and power devices may face tighter supply or higher prices for 8-inch parts as capacity shrinks. Buyers of electronics that rely on these legacy chips could see the effects in product availability and cost.
The takeaway
Chip buyers that depend on legacy 8-inch parts should plan for tighter supply and possible price increases as major foundries reduce capacity. Monitoring supplier announcements from foundries like DB HiTek and SK Keyfoundry can help identify alternative sources.
What happens next
The closure of one of Samsung's three 8-inch fabs is scheduled for the end of 2026, and full exit is planned by 2030.
Further reading
For broader background on chip manufacturing, see the Semiconductors section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Digital Watch Observatory.
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