What you need to know
- Historically, Samsung has utilized a blend of Qualcomm Snapdragon chips along with its proprietary Exynos processors to power its devices.
- A highly credible leaker, known for accurate predictions, asserts that the upcoming Galaxy S25 lineup will exclusively feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset across all global markets.
- If confirmed, this would mark only the third occasion where a complete Galaxy S series is powered solely by a Qualcomm system-on-a-chip, deviating from Samsung’s traditional dual-chip strategy.
The trend seen with Samsung’s flagship devices often involves the deployment of different processors based on geographical location. For instance, certain models of the Galaxy S24 series were equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 system-on-a-chip (SoC), while alternative versions boasted the Exynos 2400, offering a complex balance of speed and efficiency: Snapdragon variants generally provide superior performance, while Exynos devices excel in power conservation. As we anticipate the launch of the Galaxy S25 lineup, a reputable leaker has disclosed that all models will rely exclusively on Snapdragon technology around the world.
Ice Universe, a trusted source in the realm of Samsung leaks, has reiterated this information in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter). This insider confidently asserts that the entire Galaxy S25 series will feature Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, eschewing Exynos altogether.
I reiterate that all versions of the Galaxy S25 series in the world adopt Snapdragon 8 Elite, and will not adopt Exynos.November 13, 2024
Generally speaking, Snapdragon chips have outperformed their Exynos siblings, and this performance gap may widen further in 2025. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is powered by Qualcomm’s innovative Oryon cores, contributing to the company’s notable success with its high-performance Snapdragon X series of laptop-class processors. Compounding this trend is the disturbing news concerning low yield rates for Samsung’s Exynos chipsets, suggesting a strategic pivot towards Qualcomm’s technology might be necessary for the Galaxy S25.
One report emerging from South Korea last month indicated that disappointing yield rates for the upcoming Exynos 2500 chipset, which was initially slated to power select Galaxy S25 models, drove Samsung to alter its plans. Additionally, a more recent report suggests that the manufacturing challenges at Samsung Foundry remain unresolved, revealing that the yield rate for the cutting-edge 3nm chips has sunk below 20%—a figure deemed unsustainable for production.
Together, these insights lend credence to Ice Universe’s assertion that the Galaxy S25 lineup will indeed make a complete transition to Snapdragon processors. If verified, this decision would represent a significant shift, marking only the third occasion where Samsung did not utilize an Exynos chip in its Galaxy S lineup in any market, the last instance being the Galaxy S23 series, which exclusively featured the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy platform.
While the notion of the Galaxy S25 series being fully equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite presents an attractive prospect, it may come with certain drawbacks. Although this latest chipset boasts impressive speed and capabilities, it is also expected to carry a higher price tag compared to its predecessor, sparking speculation about a potential increase in the launch price of the Galaxy S25 models.
What are the expected performance improvements for the Galaxy S25 since it will now be utilizing the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset instead of the Exynos processor?
**Interview with Tech Analyst Jane Smith on Samsung’s Shift to Snapdragon for Galaxy S25**
**Editor:** Welcome, Jane. There’s been quite a buzz regarding Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series potentially ditching the Exynos processors for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset across all markets. What does this mean for Samsung and its consumers?
**Jane Smith:** Thank you for having me. This shift is significant for several reasons. Historically, Samsung’s dual-chip strategy allowed them to optimize performance based on geography, but opting for a single processor globally indicates a strategic pivot. If the Snapdragon 8 Elite is confirmed as the sole chipset, it suggests Samsung acknowledges the superior performance of Snapdragon chips compared to Exynos.
**Editor:** That’s interesting. Can you elaborate on the implications for performance and user experience?
**Jane Smith:** Absolutely. Snapdragon processors, especially the latest iterations, have generally outperformed Exynos in benchmarks, particularly in graphics and computational tasks. With the new Snapdragon 8 Elite leveraging Qualcomm’s Oryon cores, users can expect substantial improvements in speed and efficiency, which could enhance everything from gaming to multitasking.
**Editor:** Given the historical context, how does this decision reflect on Samsung’s challenges with the Exynos line?
**Jane Smith:** It highlights the difficulties that Samsung has faced with its Exynos chips, including the low yield rates for upcoming processors like the Exynos 2500. This suggests that not only has Snapdragon become the preferred choice for performance, but Samsung is also grappling with production hurdles that impact their ability to deliver competitive chips at scale.
**Editor:** So, it sounds like we might see an increasing reliance on Qualcomm in the future. What do you think this means for Samsung’s brand identity?
**Jane Smith:** It could reshape their brand identity as a manufacturer that primarily focuses on performance. While Samsung has always prided itself on innovation and in-house technology, leaning on Qualcomm’s expertise might also enable them to refocus their efforts on other innovations, like camera technology or software enhancements.
**Editor:** Thank you, Jane, for sharing your insights. It appears we are on the brink of a significant change in Samsung’s technological landscape, and many will be watching how this impacts the Galaxy S25’s reception.
**Jane Smith:** Absolutely. Exciting times ahead in the smartphone industry!
