Phones
Samsung Galaxy S25, S26 and S27 family’s chipset plan rumored
Samsung could use Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Galaxy S25 series globally. Chances are high that the next year’s Galaxy S26 series could not use the Exynos processor. Meanwhile, Korean media revealed Samsung’s chipset strategy for the Galaxy S25, S26, and S27 series.
A new report talks about Samsung’s chipset strategy for future models including the Galaxy S25, S26, and S27 lineup. Exynos 2500 is almost canceled, with Exynos 2600 unlikely as Exynos 2700 is already in the works.
Samsung’s 3nm process node apparently flopped in its second attempt. The Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra’s Exynos chip is manufactured using a 3nm process. However, the yield rate is quite low, which can’t be considered for production.
Samsung is considering equipping the Galaxy S25 family with Snapdragon 8 Elite. Qualcomm has recently made its latest chipset available. It boasts custom Oryon CPU, upgraded NPU and enhanced GPU for exceptional performance.
The South Korean tech giant is already working on Exynos 2700 under the project name Ulysses. This chipset is expected to be manufactured using Samsung Foundry’s second-generation 2nm process technology.
Exynos 2700 is rumored to feature a 12% performance increase, a 25% reduction in power consumption, and a reduced area size by 8%. The SoC could be mass-produced by the end of 2026 to debut with the S27 series in early 2027.
For now, take this info as a grain of salt.
Samsung Galaxy S25 family could end up using Snapdragon 8 Elite internationally. Qualcomm has recently launched its most powerful mobile chipset. Exynos or Dimensity are not reportedly planned for Samsung’s next flagships.
Snapdragon 8 Elite is Qualcomm’s first mobile chip made using TSMC’s 3nm process. The processor boasts a second-gen Oryon CPU, enhanced GPU, and upgraded NPU, offering exceptional performance to the next Android flagships.
Samsung is failing to proceed with Exynos 2500’s mass production. The company is reported to have lower-than-expected yields from the 3nm process. That said, it won’t be possible to commercialize Exynos 2500 this year.
Following Samsung’s yield rate concerns, it was reported that the Galaxy S25 could use a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processor. However, it doesn’t appear to be happening anytime soon, while plans are rumored for Galaxy S25 FE.
Tipster IceUniverse recently revealed that the Galaxy S25 series uses Snapdragon 8 Elite. The source also denied the possibility of an Exynos 2500 or Dimensity 9400 chipset in Samsung’s upcoming flagship lineup.
Samsung Galaxy S25 series uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Not the Exynos 2500 and Dimensity 9400
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) October 23, 2024
It comes as a major development in Galaxy S25’s chipset harmony. The Exynos 2500 failing to be mass-produced indicates a crisis at Samsung Elec. Although Galaxy fans are happy, it’s not good news for the smartphone manufacturer.
Samsung Galaxy S25 with Snapdragon – A global affair
Samsung launched Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus with Exynos and Snapdragon chips. The US, as usual, gets Snapdragon variants. Meanwhile, most markets getting Exynos 2400-powered Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus smartphones.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in all markets. The S25 Ultra was rumored to ship with Snapdragon 8 Elite regardless of region. The latest developments suggest the same processor for all variants in all markets.
Samsung has no plans to launch a cheaper Galaxy Z Fold. The company has recently unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. Previously, we’ve heard about the arrival of a foldable phone with an affordable price tag.
A Samsung official (via SamMobile) confirmed that there are no plans for the launch of Galaxy Z Fold with a lower price tag. Instead, the company will continue to innovate the foldable technologies, while keeping the price tag intact.
The first Galaxy Fold came with a price tag of $200. As the technology matures, the industry expects the prices to drop. However, Samsung doesn’t seem to be in the mood to debut an affordable foldable phone anytime soon.
A Samsung Electronics official said, “Rather than considering it (Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition) a premium product, it’s a product released to expand your options. You can choose according to your taste. As of now, we have no plans to release a separate product with a lower price.”
The company is facing much competition in the global smartphone market. The company’s dominance has been snatched by Huawei this year. Chinese vendors also becoming the biggest headache in the global market.
Samsung had to launch a thinner Galaxy Z Fold this year. Over the past two years, competition in the foldable segment has risen significantly. Huawei, Honor, Xiaomi, and OPPO launched their foldables with slim and lightweight design.
The Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition is a fresh example of Samsung’s plans. The company won’t give up on innovating the mobile segment. While keeping the pricing intact, it will be able to explore new technologies and enhance user satisfaction.
Apple’s next budget iPhone is said to use a Samsung-made OLED screen. The company has been included in the display supply chain alongside BOE and LG Display. iPhone SE 4 (2025) has been in rumors bay for the past few months.
The upcoming iPhone SE could compete with Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE in the US. Mark Gurman previously reported that the iPhone SE 2025 will be equipped with Apple Intelligence capabilities to stand out from the segment.
Last month, Apple announced the iPhone 16 series. Now, the company is preparing to unveil its next-gen budget iPhone. If the rumors are true, it will be called the iPhone SE 4th-generation, likely to launch in early 2025.
It’s worth noting that it will be the first SE-branded iPhone to use OLED screens. Previous budget iPhone models have used LCD panels. Apple has reportedly tapped Samsung, LG, and BOE for smoother supply and price negotiations.
It has been observed that Apple reduced its reliance on Samsung D for iPhone 16 supply. The company was missing out on the iPhone SE OLED supply chain. However, the inclusion in the iPhone SE 4 supply chain is seemingly a compensatory measure.
This year, LG Display supplied more OLED panels for the ‘iPhone 16 Pro’ and ‘iPhone 16 Pro Max’ than last year, which reduced Samsung’s share. LG could supply up to 20 million more panels for the iPhone 16 series compared to last year.
BOE is currently supplying OLED panels for the standard iPhone 16 model. For the next iPhone SE, the Chinese display vendor will have the lion’s share. Meanwhile, the amount of display panels to be supplied for the iPhone SE remains unknown.