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China’s top chip maker SMIC achieves 7-nm tech breakthrough on par with Intel, TSMC and Samsung, analysts say
- SMIC took two years to achieve the leap from 14-nm to 7-nm, faster than TSMC and Samsung, TechInsights said
- Experts said it is technically possible for SMIC to produce 7-nm chips even without the most advanced production equipment
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A Canada-based research firm has doubled down on its earlier conclusion that China’s top chip maker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) had made a key technological breakthrough that puts it on a par with industry giants.
TechInsights, which declared last month that SMIC had begun using the 7-nanometre process to produce semiconductors after inspecting a sample chip extracted from a cryptocurrency mining machine, published a follow-up report on Monday.
Analysts said in the updated research note that SMIC had indeed achieved technological maturity, as measured by “standard cells” – the basic building blocks in logic chipset designs – that can rival the world’s leading foundries, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), Samsung Electronics and Intel.
SMIC, which is on a US trade black list and facing additional restrictions on the import of advanced equipment, declined to comment on the findings when reached by the Post. The Hong Kong-listed company’s financial statements do not contain any mention of 7-nm grade technology.
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China condemns new US law aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing
China condemns new US law aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing
The technological progress of SMIC is being keenly watched by industry analysts, who are keen to find out if sanctions imposed by the US and its allies will crush China’s goal of achieving semiconductor self-sufficiency, a major point of rivalry between the two nations.
China’s push to catch up on chip technology faces strong headwinds after the White House signed the bipartisan Chips and Science Act into law, with the aim of deterring TSMC, Samsung, Intel and others from investing in advanced manufacturing, including 7-nm process technology or newer, in mainland China.
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