Samsung’s Chipset Conundrum: Qualcomm or Exynos for the Galaxy S25?

Samsung is at a crossroads, deciding the fate of its chipset strategy for the upcoming Galaxy S25. With only four months left before the launch cycle begins, the tech giant must choose between Qualcomm chips and its own Exynos chipsets.

A Brief History of Samsung’s Chipset Development

Over the years, Samsung has invested heavily in developing its own chipsets, including both manufacturing and design. However, the production rate of the new Exynos 2500 chipset has been a major concern, with a current production rate of only 20% – far from the 60% target set for mass production.

The Qualcomm Conundrum

According to a source from the Korea Herald, Samsung is considering using only Qualcomm chipsets for the Galaxy S25, citing the underwhelming performance of the Exynos 2500 chipset. This decision would result in a 30% increase in production costs due to the expensive nature of Qualcomm chipsets.

A Future for Exynos?

Although the Exynos 2500 chipset may not be ready for the Galaxy S25, it’s possible that it could be used in future devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, scheduled for release in mid-2025.

Performance vs. Strategy

Samsung has long maintained that there is no significant performance difference between Qualcomm and Exynos chipsets, attributing the choice to strategy rather than capability. However, the decision to use Qualcomm chipsets would undoubtedly impact the production costs and, ultimately, the pricing of the Galaxy S25.