Global shift to Snapdragon 8 Elite in Samsung Galaxy S25: Exynos 2500 faces uncertainty

In recent months, the chipset decision for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 series has sparked considerable debate. Initially, there was anticipation that Samsung would integrate its in-house Exynos 2500 chip into some of the Galaxy S25 models, as hinted during the company’s recent earnings call. However, recent reports suggest a different scenario: all Galaxy S25 models are expected to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor across the globe, marking a significant shift from previous years.

Snapdragon 8 Elite: Powering All Galaxy S25 Models

After Samsung MX head, TM Roh, appeared during the unveiling of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, rumors intensified that this chip would be used in every Galaxy S25 variant. Trusted source Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) has since claimed that all Galaxy S25 devices, including the standard Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and the high-end Galaxy S25 Ultra, will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite globally. This marks a notable departure from Samsung’s strategy in previous years when different regions often received different processors.

Additionally, Ice Universe mentioned that neither the Exynos 2500 nor the MediaTek 9400 chipsets will be featured in any Galaxy S25 models. For fans of Samsung’s flagship devices, this is exciting news. Many users have expressed a strong preference for Qualcomm chips in Samsung’s high-end smartphones, given the performance and reliability that Snapdragon processors have consistently delivered.

The Snapdragon-Exynos Divide in Previous Models

This year’s Galaxy S24 series saw Samsung employing the Exynos 2400 chip in certain markets, such as Europe and Korea, for the Galaxy S24 and S24+. In contrast, other regions like Canada, the US, and China received models equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 For Galaxy chipset. The Galaxy S24 Ultra was exclusively powered by the Snapdragon chip worldwide.

Although the Exynos 2400 marked a significant improvement over its predecessors, it still lagged behind the top-tier chips from competitors like Apple, MediaTek, and Qualcomm, especially in terms of performance and efficiency.

Why the Exynos 2500 Wasn’t Chosen

The Exynos 2500 was expected to be a major leap forward, leveraging Samsung Foundry’s second-generation 3nm process and newer Arm CPU architecture. However, rumors suggest that Samsung’s yield rate for the Exynos 2500 has been too low for the chip to pass quality control at a consistent rate. This has reportedly forced Samsung to abandon plans to use the Exynos 2500 in the Galaxy S25 series.

For consumers, the decision to exclusively use the Snapdragon 8 Elite in all Galaxy S25 models is a promising development. Early tests have demonstrated the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s impressive speed. Its CPU closely rivals Apple’s A18 Pro, while its GPU surpasses the A18 Pro in power efficiency and graphical performance. This means that Galaxy S25 users can expect top-tier performance, long-lasting battery life, and efficient energy consumption.

Exynos 2500: An Uncertain Future

The future of Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chip looks increasingly bleak. Beyond the Galaxy S25 series, there are now rumors that the Exynos 2500 will not be featured in other upcoming devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 7 or the Galaxy S25 FE either.

According to Korean media reports, Samsung has scrapped plans to use the Exynos 2500 in the Galaxy Z Flip 7 due to production challenges. It appears that the chip’s low yield rates, coupled with its inability to compete with Snapdragon’s performance, have left the Exynos 2500 confined to Samsung’s development labs rather than making it to commercial devices.

Yield Issues with Samsung’s 3nm Process

The core issue surrounding the Exynos 2500 is Samsung Foundry’s ongoing struggles with its 3nm manufacturing process. While the Snapdragon 8 Elite is being produced using TSMC’s 3nm node, Samsung’s own 3nm process has reportedly faced severe yield problems, with success rates hovering around just 20-30%. Samsung is working to improve its yields, but as it stands, the Exynos 2500 has not met the standards necessary for mass production.

This isn’t the first time Samsung has faced challenges with its Exynos chips. The company didn’t launch the Exynos 2300 for any Galaxy devices, following criticism over the Exynos 2200, which had issues related to overheating and performance throttling in the Galaxy S23 series. Samsung’s reliance on the Exynos 2400 in the Galaxy S24 and S24+ was seen as an attempt to rebound from these issues, but it appears that the Exynos 2500 may not continue that trend.

Samsung’s Response to the Challenges

At a recent earnings call, Samsung’s leadership acknowledged the difficulties facing its semiconductor division, which has been the company’s main growth engine. Despite solid performance from its mobile division, Samsung’s overall business has been hampered by the struggles within its chip manufacturing arm. The failure of the Exynos 2500 to reach commercial readiness is just one example of the challenges Samsung is grappling with as it faces intense competition from both TSMC and Qualcomm.

Conclusion

For Galaxy S25 buyers, the news that all models will be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite globally is reassuring. It means consistent, top-tier performance no matter where you purchase the device. Meanwhile, the fate of Samsung’s Exynos 2500 remains uncertain, with ongoing production issues casting doubt on the future of the company’s in-house chips. As Samsung continues to work through its manufacturing challenges, the Snapdragon 8 Elite stands out as the clear winner for now.