Korean media: Samsung plans to exit 8-inch wafer foundry by 2030

According to the South Korean tech media TheElec, Samsung Electronics plans to completely exit the 8-inch wafer foundry business by 2030, shifting its strategic focus to 12-inch advanced processes. Samsung will gradually reduce its 8-inch production lines, with the S7 factory located in the Giheung Industrial Complex scheduled to close first in the second half of 2026, with a monthly production capacity of about 50,000 wafers.

After the closure of S7, Samsung's total monthly production capacity for 8-inch wafers will drop from 250,000 wafers to below 200,000 wafers, with the capacity utilization rates of the remaining S6 and S8 factories having already fallen to about 70% at that time. Samsung's foundry business head Han Jeong-wan previously stated that the 8-inch foundry market has become increasingly crowded and price-driven, and the company plans to gradually reduce this business.