Report: Google in Talks with Samsung to Fabricate Next-Gen TPU Chip Components, Mass Production as Early as 2028
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Google is in talks with Samsung to produce a key component of its 10th-gen TPU — codenamed Icefish — on Samsung's 2nm process, as TSMC's packed capacity forces Google to diversify its chip supply chain. Mass production could begin as early as 2028.
What is Icefish, and who builds what?
Icefish is Google's 10th-generation TPU (tensor processing unit — a custom chip designed specifically for AI workloads). It is still in the design phase.
The split: TSMC handles the compute engine on its 1.4nm process (the hardest part), while Samsung would build the memory I/O die on 2nm (the piece that shuttles data between memory and processor).
This means → Google is dividing a single chip by difficulty: the most demanding silicon stays with TSMC; the secondary-but-critical piece goes to Samsung as a proving ground.
Why does Google need Samsung?
TSMC is maxed out on AI chip orders — Nvidia's demand alone consumes a large share of advanced capacity, making it harder for Google to secure slots.
Google's custom chips are also starting to serve external customers, pushing up volume requirements.
In plain terms = TSMC isn't the problem — TSMC's production lines are simply full. Google needs a second road.
What would this order mean for Samsung?
Samsung entered chip contract manufacturing in 2005 and set up a dedicated foundry division in 2017, but it has been chasing TSMC in advanced nodes ever since.
This means → if the Google project lands, it would be a landmark order for Samsung's advanced foundry — proof that its 2nm process can satisfy a top-tier AI client.
Samsung has also recently won manufacturing orders for Tesla's next-gen AI6 chip and Nvidia's language processing unit (used to boost inference on the upcoming Vera Rubin platform). Momentum is building.
Why did the design partner change?
Icefish is being co-designed by Google and MediaTek, whereas most prior TPU projects were primarily partnered with Broadcom.
Google brought MediaTek into some AI chip design work only last year; Icefish signals a deepening of that collaboration.
This reflects Google diversifying on both the manufacturing and design sides — spreading its bets, not concentrating them.
Is any of this confirmed?
No. Icefish is still in the design stage. Mass production is targeted for 2028 at the earliest, and plans could change.
Samsung and Google both declined to comment. The reporting cites two people with direct knowledge of the project.
In plain terms = the direction is being discussed, but it is a long way from a signed production deal. Any technical or commercial variable along the way could rewrite the outcome.
Content is for reference only, not financial advice.