Digitimes sources claim that Qualcomm is expected to determine whether it will continue to contract Samsung to manufacture its next-generation AP or switch the orders to TSMC when both foundries develop their respective second-generation 7nm process technologies.

TSMC's second generation of its 7nm process using EUV will be ready for volume production in 2019. Rival Samsung indicated previously its 7nm low-power-plus (7LPP) will be the company's first EUV-based process technology slated for launch in 2018.

In the good old days, Qualcomm was TSMC's biggest customer and then it placed its 14nm chip orders with Samsung and never looked back. TSMC struck a foundry deal with Apple and now Jobs' Mob is its largest client.

Orders from Qualcomm used to account for about 25 percent of TSMC's revenues, but the proportion has dropped to nearly 10 percent. That said, winning 7nm AP orders from Qualcomm will be critical to TSMC's 7nm foundry market success.