TLDR
- Google is in talks with Samsung to manufacture a memory input-output die for its next-gen TPU, codenamed “Icefish”
- TSMC will make the main computing engine of Icefish using its advanced 1.4nm node
- The chip could enter mass production as early as 2028
- MediaTek is reportedly involved in designing the 8th-generation TPUs, including Icefish
- Earlier this week, Google was reported to be in talks with Intel to manufacture over 3 million TPUs in 2028
Alphabet’s (GOOGL) Google is in talks with Samsung to manufacture a component of its next-generation tensor processing unit, according to a report from The Information on Thursday.
The chip, codenamed “Icefish,” is currently in the design stage. Google plans to have TSMC produce the main computing engine using its 1.4nm manufacturing node, while Samsung would handle a separate memory input-output die using its 2nm technology.
The talks are not final, and no agreements have been confirmed. Alphabet, Samsung, and TSMC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Icefish could enter mass production as early as 2028, though that timeline could shift. MediaTek is also reportedly involved in the chip’s design.
Google’s TPU Push
Google has been building out its in-house AI chip lineup to offer cloud customers an alternative to Nvidia’s GPUs. TPU sales have become a growing part of Alphabet’s cloud revenue.
The company already unveiled its 8th-generation TPUs at Google Cloud Next 2026 in Las Vegas in April — the TPU 8t, built for training AI models, and the TPU 8i, designed for inference.
Icefish would represent the next step beyond those chips. It’s not a small step either — splitting production across TSMC and Samsung points to a more complex manufacturing strategy than Google has used before.
Intel Also in the Picture
The Samsung report follows another from earlier this week. On Monday, The Information reported that Google is in separate talks with Intel to produce more than three million TPUs in 2028.
That would mark a potential shift for Intel, which has been working to rebuild its foundry business. Google has not confirmed those talks either.
TSMC has historically been Google’s primary chip manufacturing partner, and remains central to the Icefish plan. The chip industry has been dealing with capacity pressure as demand from AI customers continues to grow.
For now, Icefish is still in design, and 2028 production remains a target, not a certainty.
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