Samsung May Add GlobalFoundries as Display Chip Supplier to Ease Galaxy Phone Production Issues
Samsung is reportedly planning to expand its display driver chip supplier network after supply constraints affected production of the Galaxy Z Fold8. According to a report by ZDNet Korea, the company is looking to add GlobalFoundries (GF) as another supplier of display driver integrated circuits (DDIs).
Samsung has reportedly faced difficulties meeting demand for its Galaxy Z Fold8 amid rising memory and storage costs. Limited availability of display driver chips has added to the challenges.
UMC Supply Constraints Affected Galaxy Z Fold8 Production
Samsung currently relies on United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) as its sole supplier of display driver chips, according to the report.
Last month, Samsung reportedly requested additional DDI chips to meet consumer demand for the Galaxy Z Fold8. However, UMC was unable to fulfil the request because its production facilities were already operating at full capacity.
The shortage reportedly forced Samsung to reduce its planned Galaxy Z Fold8 production for September and affected its revenue figures.
Samsung Exploring GlobalFoundries as a New Supplier
According to the report, Samsung is now actively exploring the possibility of adding GlobalFoundries to its display driver chip supplier list.
The company is particularly interested in GlobalFoundries’ 22nm and 28nm manufacturing facilities. The move could help Samsung diversify its supply chain and reduce its dependence on a single supplier.
The report suggests that Samsung could begin using display driver chips manufactured by GlobalFoundries in entry-level Galaxy A-series smartphones by the end of 2027.
However, Samsung has not officially confirmed the reported supplier expansion or the proposed timeline.
What Are Display Driver ICs?
Display driver integrated circuits are specialised chips that connect a smartphone’s processor to its display panel. They help control individual pixels and sub-pixels, managing how images appear on the screen.
These chips also play an important role in controlling colour reproduction and brightness. Their availability is therefore essential for smartphone display production and overall device manufacturing.
Why Samsung May Expand Its Chip Supplier Network
Adding another supplier could give Samsung greater flexibility in securing the display driver chips required for its smartphones. It may also help the company manage production risks when an existing supplier reaches its manufacturing capacity.
The reported plan could be particularly relevant for Samsung’s entry-level Galaxy A-series devices if the company begins sourcing chips from GlobalFoundries by late 2027.
For now, the proposed arrangement remains a reported development rather than an officially confirmed Samsung decision.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
