Samsung Foundry May See Profit in 2027 Thanks to Tesla AI Chip Deals
Samsung’s foundry division has struggled to secure profits for several years. However, industry analysts expect that the division may report a profit in 2027. This is mainly because it will make next-generation AI chips for Tesla’s different products, including Optimus humanoid robots and robotaxis.
Tesla AI chips could play a key role in Samsung Foundry’s recovery
Last year, Samsung secured major contracts to make Tesla’s upcoming AI chips, AI5 and AI6. According to KB Securities, the Korean foundry will begin mass production of these chips next year at its Taylor, Texas, plant. The chips will be used in Tesla’s autonomous driving systems, Optimus humanoid robots, and robotaxis.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, said:
AI5 will make the cars almost perfect and greatly enhance Optimus,
“AI6 will be for Optimus and data centers”.
KB Securities predicts that Tesla’s share of Samsung Foundry’s revenue will increase from about 3% in 2027 to 20% in 2029. In 2031, the revenue share may reach 30%. As a result, Samsung’s foundry business may see profits next year (it suffered a loss of 7 trillion won last year).
Industry analysts expect the growing volume of Tesla orders to greatly improve Samsung’s factory utilization. Higher utilization will lower production costs per chip and improve margins. As such, the foundry business should move into a stable growth phase. The fab utilization rate could hit about 60% in the first half of the year, up from about 50% in the second half of 2025.
Meanwhile, Samsung is gearing up to begin operation at its advanced semiconductor plant in Taylor, Texas, in the second half of 2026. The company will begintest operations of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment at the plant in March 2026. It has also sent experienced engineers from its headquarters to the Taylor site. However, the industry is now eager to see the real-world performance of the 2nm mobile chip, the Exynos 2600, which could power some Galaxy S26 and S26+ models.
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Samsung Foundry May See Profit in 2027 Thanks to Tesla AI Chip Deals, source
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