Samsung Exynos 2500's Troubled Fate: Galaxy S25 Series to Feature Snapdragon Exclusively, Galaxy S25 FE as a Potential Lifeline?

Samsung Exynos 2500's Troubled Fate: Galaxy S25 Series to Feature Snapdragon Exclusively, Galaxy S25 FE as a Potential Lifeline?Samsung's latest Exynos 2500 chipset has encountered a string of setbacks, facing a potential delay in its release. Production issues have hampered the Exynos 2500's development, primarily due to the unstable and low yield of Samsung's 3nm GAA process

Samsung Exynos 2500's Troubled Fate: Galaxy S25 Series to Feature Snapdragon Exclusively, Galaxy S25 FE as a Potential Lifeline?

Samsung's latest Exynos 2500 chipset has encountered a string of setbacks, facing a potential delay in its release. Production issues have hampered the Exynos 2500's development, primarily due to the unstable and low yield of Samsung's 3nm GAA process. This has resulted in the chipset's exclusion from the Galaxy S25 series. Consequently, all Samsung flagship smartphones this year are likely to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor, forcing Samsung to incur an additional 30% procurement cost.

Tipster @Revegnus (now known as Jukanlosreve) recently revealed this news in a post, attributing the absence of the Exynos 2500 in the Galaxy S25 series to the yield problems associated with the 3nm GAA process. This is undoubtedly disappointing, given Samsung's continuous efforts to enhance the performance of its Exynos chipsets and establish them as the standard configuration for its high-end devices.

However, Samsung has not abandoned the Exynos 2500 entirely. Sources suggest that the chipset might make its debut in the more affordable Galaxy S25 FE, slated for release in April this year. Additionally, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, set to launch next year, could potentially utilize the Exynos 2500.

This news also hints at a possible adjustment in Samsung's dual-chipset release strategy. Previously, Samsung employed a dual-chipset approach, using Exynos chipsets in certain markets while opting for Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets in others. However, due to the production issues with the Exynos 2500, Samsung might be compelled to abandon this strategy and adopt Snapdragon chipsets across the board.

This shift poses a significant cost burden for Samsung. Although Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets exhibit superior performance, their procurement cost surpasses that of Exynos chipsets. In an attempt to mitigate overall expenses, Samsung might incorporate the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processor into the Galaxy S25 series.

The ultimate fate of the Exynos 2500 hinges on the improvement of the yield rate of Samsung's 3nm GAA process. If Samsung manages to resolve the production issues, the chipset could potentially feature in more devices in the future. Conversely, if the production problems persist, the Exynos 2500 might be shelved, leaving Samsung reliant on Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets.

The battle for the Exynos 2500 will ultimately determine Samsung's chip strategy for the coming years and significantly impact the company's overall profitability.