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[Report] Samsung starts 3nm Exynos 2500 production, but it may not power Galaxy S25
Samsung started mass production of Exynos 2500 using its cutting edge 3nm process node, Seoul Economic Daily reports. While the production commenced as an unexpected development, the chip won’t power the Galaxy flagship that you think.
According to the report (via Jukanlosreve), Samsung Foundry recently kicked off Exynos 2500 AP’s mass production using wafers at the Hwaseong S3 facility with 3nm process tech. The processor is expected to be featured in the Galaxy Z Flip 7 next year.
Last year, Samsung announced the Exynos 2500 will be made using a 3nm process node. It was anticipated to power the Galaxy S25 series. However, the low yield rate led the company to push the commercialization to the Z Flip 7.
This development could provide both expanded use of the chip, valuable mass production experience, and increased revenue. It could also serve as a stepping stone for the 2nm products scheduled for mass production next year.
Fabricating flagship SoCs usually takes about 5 to 6 months. That said, the timeframe aligns with the tentative Galaxy Z Flip 7 debut in July next year. The MX Division reportedly planned to ship 3.9 million units of the Z Flip 7 and Z Flip FE next year.
An industry insider stated, “This suggests that the MX division has concluded that the Exynos 2500’s performance is suitable for the new smartphone and has placed an order with the DS division.”
It’s a bold move by Samsung that could provide a lifeline to the Device Solutions Division. The company’s semiconductor business has been struggling in the recent past, particularly in the foundry and system LSI business units.
Although mass production of the AP has started, it is reported that yields are currently unstable, hovering around 20%. The lower yield rate harmed Samsung much as it left out winning clients for 3nm product manufacturing this year.
I have been using Samsung Galaxy phones since they all ran on TouchWiz. Later, the company moved to the One UI custom skin, which is based on Android OS.
Initially, Samsung started giving up to 2 years of major OS updates and 3 years of security patches. This policy was changed in 2020 to 3 major OS updates and 4 years of security patches, starting with the Galaxy S20 series, and later extended to other flagship devices, including the Galaxy Note 20 and Z series. Samsung then increased this to 4 years of major One UI software updates and 5 years of security patches for Galaxy S, Note, Z, A, XCover, and Tab series devices launched in 2019 or later.
From 2024, Samsung surpassed every other player in the smartphone market by providing up to 7 years of support including major OS and regular security patches. It is applicable for all the flagship smartphones launched in 2024 or later.
Now, why this history tour? Let me tell you the reason. Samsung is preparing to introduce the Galaxy S25 series next year, which is rumored for late January 2025. The S25 trio will support up to 7 years of One UI software support, as officially confirmed by Samsung at SDC 2024.
Samsung’s promise not only extends the life of the Galaxy smartphone but also ensures that your device is up to date with the latest features and regular security patches. But the real question for many users is, “Will you actually use the Galaxy S25 for that long period?”
Let’s dive into the details.
With One UI software updates, you will not only get regular security patches; you will also be receiving improvements that can transform your device’s user experience. From smarter battery management to more intuitive interfaces, One UI updates ensure that your Galaxy device, whether it’s the latest model or an older one, stays fresh and capable.
Latest Samsung Galaxy phones, especially the Galaxy S series, are built with top-tier materials and hardware inside. These phones are built to last, not just in physical durability, but also in performance capability. The promise of longer software support means it can do new things and work better, even after you have had it for years.
This will be the case with the Galaxy S25 series. The upcoming device is expected to be powered by cutting-edge processors, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, capable of running smoothly for years. There’s a rumor that the device will be packed with 16GB of RAM for better performance.
Over the years, the regular updates will improve the software to run more smoothly on the existing hardware, potentially making the device feel faster than when you first got it.
With such extended support, you could keep using your Galaxy S25 for a much longer time, reducing the need for frequent upgrades. It’s a smart move for anyone looking to save money.
This is where it becomes a personal choice: Do you see yourself sticking with the Galaxy S25 for 7 years?
From my perspective, if you are someone who loves the latest tech or your work requires the latest technology, you will probably upgrade before long. But if you’re more about practicality than having the newest thing, the Galaxy S25 could become a long-term partner.
The important point here is, smartphone batteries degrade over time. Samsung’s software updates often include battery optimization, but eventually, you might need to consider battery replacement if you want to keep the current smartphone with you for a longer time.
For durability, the Galaxy S25/Ultra will use titanium material, but even with robust build quality, some serious physical damages like broken screens, water damage, or just wanting something new might make you switch devices before the software support period ends.
There’s one more thing to consider: if you are into beta testing and love playing with new features before they are out for everyone, you might want to upgrade your phone every two to three years. That’s because Samsung usually only offers the One UI beta program to its newest models. For instance, the One UI 7.0 beta is expected to be exclusive to the Galaxy S24 and S23 series, leaving the S22 series out of the loop.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Source – Sammyfans)
My Final View:
Samsung’s promise of 7 years of One UI software support for the Galaxy S25 is extraordinary in the smartphone industry. How long you will keep your S25 depends on things like if you love new technology/gadgets, your daily life, and how you take care of your phone.
But knowing that you can keep your Galaxy S25 up-to-date for 7 years might just change how we think about smartphone longevity. Only time will tell, but for now, Samsung’s promise is a game-changer for users looking for enduring tech solutions. I will keep the Galaxy S25 Ultra for 7 years, and my Samsung Galaxy Note9 is still on my desk, saying Hi.
Disclaimer
There is no official confirmation from Samsung on the name of the device or specifications. As with any pre-release tech speculation, actual products may differ when launched.
Samsung made a strong return in the worldwide foldable market in the third quarter of the year. IDC reports that the global foldable smartphone market had a sharp shakeup during the July-September period this year.
The company faced intense competition from Chinese brands in the first half of 2024. However, its aggressive strategy and innovative devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 have pushed it back to the forefront once again.
IDC highlights that the foldable market grew by 23.6% during the third quarter. It shows the gradually increasing shift toward the new form factor. Huawei recently launched the world’s first tri-fold phone which has two foldable screens.
In particular, Samsung’s share in the foldable market rose from 14.8% in Q2 to 51.2% in Q3. This impressive performance is a testament to the success of their latest foldable handsets and targetted marketing strategies.
IDC report on 3Q24 Foldable Smartphone Market
Xiaomi, Honor, Huawei, and Motorola continue to be formidable players, collectively holding a 48.8% market share in the quarter ended on September 30. Among them, Samsung foldables are only available in the mass market.
Samsung working on its tri-fold phone. Recently, the US patent authority published a Samsung patent, revealing its plans for new form factors. The company may launch rollable and tri-fold display smartphones in the future.
Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition
Samsung launched a slimmer and larger foldable phone – Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition – in South Korea and China. The initial three stocks in Korea and the first in China sold out within minutes after the opening of the sale.
It is expected that the next Galaxy Z Fold, which will launch in 2025, will be inspired by the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition’s design and specifications. A durable hinge and display will likely debut alongside a powerful camera setup.
Samsung could launch Galaxy S25 Slim alongside the S25 series next year. Recently, the launch date of the Galaxy S25 series has been allegedly revealed. The report also indicates that the S25 Slim’s official unveiling could also happen at the same time.
According to FNNews, Galaxy S25 Slim could launch at Samsung Unpacked 2025 alongside the S25 series. With the S24 series earlier this year, Samsung shared a sneak peek at the Galaxy Ring, which went on sale in July this year.
The next big product could be a sleek smartphone. We’ve heard April 2025 is the Galaxy S25 Slim launch timeframe. The revelation of the S25 Slim is worth looking at as it could bring potential Galaxy S26 series design changes.
Samsung is making sure the development of the Slim model to completed sooner. If the development and testing conclude early, the S25 Slim may come out alongside the Galaxy S25 series in January 2025 itself.
The Korean tech giant aiming for an early launch to gain an advantage in the thickness competition with Apple. The iPhone maker is also reportedly working on a thinner model, which could be marked as the iPhone Air next year.
Pay attention, the S25 Slim will be as powerful as the S25 flagship. The only difference could be in thickness, which is yet to be known. Meanwhile, the report suggests that the S25 Slim could measure less than 7.6mm thickness.
The slim model has the same performance as the Galaxy S25 but is thinner and more convenient. The specific thickness has not been disclosed yet, but it is likely to be thinner than the vanilla Galaxy S24 (7.6mm).