Samsung Creates Custom Chip Development Team Within System LSI

Samsung has created a custom SoC development team within its System LSI Business Division. This move could help the company bolster its in-house chip development capabilities while reducing reliance on outsourced designs. It may also allow the firm to meet the growing global demand for custom chips.

Samsung expands System LSI Division with new custom SoC development team

Samsung’s System LSI Business develops chips for a bunch of applications, such as mobile processors (Exynos) and image sensors (ISOCELL). The company now appears to be expanding its development capabilities beyond standard chips. According to a report from Chosun, the new custom SoC development team will focus on designing complete chips internally. This includes SoC architecture, IP, AI, and NPU technologies.

Samsung has appointed Vice President Park Bong-il, an expert in SoC design, to lead the new Team. This shows the company’s intention for a development-centered strategy with in-house innovation. Previously, the System LSI Division depended on an outsourced design model to create chips according to customer requirements. The new team will likely take a full in-house development approach.

“This appears to be a move to break away from a revenue structure overly focused on mobile AP design,” said an industry insider. “There is a clear direction to expand design agency services based on customer requirements, similar to Broadcom.”

In 2020, Samsung integrated design support teams across its Foundry and System LSI divisions. In late 2023, the company reorganized the System LSI Division into three main pillars: SoC, image sensors, and LSI. It also created a Marketing Intelligence Team to track market trends and customer demand.

Meanwhile, System LSI Division continues to play a key role in the company’s mobile processor business. The division designed the upcoming Exynos 2600, which is reportedly being manufactured by Samsung Foundry using its 2nm process. This chip may power the upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup, at least the S26 and S26+ models (depending on region).