According to industry sources on July 9, TSMC has recently notified major clients such as NVIDIA, Apple, and AMD of plans to raise wafer supply prices by 5% to 10%, including for the 7nm process used in high-performance chip production. Samsung Electronics has also simultaneously increased supply prices for new customers by about 15%, mainly focusing on high-demand 4nm and 5nm advanced process nodes, as well as some automotive-grade 8nm nodes.
TSMC Notifies NVIDIA, Apple, and AMD of 5-10% Wafer Price Increase
Industry insiders reveal that TSMC's recent notification to key clients such as NVIDIA, Apple, and AMD includes the following price hike plans:
3nm and 5nm advanced nodes: Price increase of 5% to 10%
7nm process: Simultaneous increase (used for high-performance chips)
Recipients: NVIDIA, Apple, AMD, and other major clients
The significance of this price increase lies in a shift in pricing logic: typically, once a wafer process node's output stabilizes, prices are frozen or gradually adjusted, with rare instances of price hikes for the same node. TSMC's adjustment of pricing based on market conditions for the same process node is seen as a structural change in pricing logic by the industry.
Samsung Electronics Raises Supply Prices for New Customers by About 15%
Reports indicate that Samsung Electronics has increased supply prices for new customers by approximately 15%, mainly targeting high-demand advanced process nodes (4nm and 5nm) and some automotive-grade 8nm nodes.
Industry experts note that Samsung's approach differs from TSMC's comprehensive price hikes; instead, it focuses on adjusting prices at specific nodes with high demand. Growth in AI semiconductor and automotive chip demand has improved supply conditions for certain nodes, enhancing vendors' pricing power.
Shift in Pricing Logic: Supply-Demand and Investment Costs Overtake Process Maturity
Industry analysis suggests that the rapid expansion of AI investments has fundamentally changed pricing logic: leading global tech companies like NVIDIA are experiencing a surge in AI semiconductor orders, while capacity at advanced process nodes cannot meet demand. Meanwhile, costs for developing next-generation processes (such as 2nm) and investments in advanced equipment continue to rise.
As a result, market supply-demand dynamics and investment costs, rather than process maturity, now drive pricing. An industry official stated: "In the past, foundries competed on price to attract customers, but in the AI era, as supply at advanced nodes can't keep up with demand, pricing power is shifting to suppliers. As long as AI investment cycles continue, price increases centered on advanced nodes may persist."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which process nodes' wafer prices does TSMC plan to raise, and by how much?
Industry sources reveal that TSMC plans to notify major clients like NVIDIA, Apple, and AMD of a 5% to 10% increase in wafer supply prices, covering 3nm, 5nm advanced nodes, and 7nm high-performance process.
How does Samsung Electronics' wafer price increase strategy differ from TSMC's?
Reports indicate that Samsung Electronics has increased supply prices for new customers by about 15%, focusing on 4nm, 5nm, and some automotive-grade 8nm nodes, representing targeted adjustments at high-demand nodes rather than a comprehensive price hike like TSMC.
How will wafer price increases impact end products?
The reports suggest that rising wafer prices, along with increased costs for HBM and shortages of advanced packaging materials, are expected to raise manufacturing costs for NVIDIA, Apple, and AMD. In the long term, this could influence the costs of AI server construction and the retail prices of smartphones, PCs, and other consumer electronics.
