Miners and people wanting to get into mining are rejoicing as the stranglehold that Bitmain has on the ASIC mining industry shows a light at the end of the tunnel for being over. If you have wanted to purchase a miner you have been on waiting lists for months at a time in order for Bitmain to make one to fulfill your order. They can't make them fast enough. The issue is so bad people are buying miners whenever they can an reselling them for double to 5 times the price on Ebay and other online markets.
A Samsung partnership was announced and confirmed recently with Samsung and the same ASIC chip manufacturer that Bitmain uses, TSMC, that Samsung will begin creating ASIC mining units. Samsung says they are aiming more for altcoin miners than traditional SHA256 bitcoin miners. Chip manufacturing has already started as of January 2018. With a huge concentration of cryptocurrency enthusiasm being in Korea where Samsung is headquartered, it is sorta surprising Samsung hasn't done this sooner. Of course, better late then never.
With as large a company as Samsung getting involved in mining other big names may enter the space. Also, since Samsung is used to fulfilling large orders with their supply chain, they may be able to keep up with demand.
Warning is due
A warning is due for people who have been buying miners for resale purchases. They should watch Samsung miner developments carefully as this will greatly and quickly impact their resale possibilities.
To make that situation for these people even more confusing to track, Samsung will begin only selling in the Asian markets at first. With a larger and worldwide roll out in the works for a unannounced later date. So some areas that are buying Bitmain miners for resale will be effected differently than some other areas.