Revealed: Why Samsung Galaxy Phones Keep Ditching Qualcomm Chips for Exynos
Samsung’s decision to opt for its custom Exynos chips over Qualcomm’s Snapdragon alternatives has long been a topic of debate among tech enthusiasts. While Qualcomm’s chips are known for their performance, Samsung’s choice to use Exynos chips has been a consistent trend in its flagship phones.
The Cost Factor
Recent revelations shed light on Samsung’s rationale behind this decision: cost. It appears that Samsung incurred significant financial losses, reportedly around $400 million, by resorting to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip for its Galaxy S25 series due to production issues with its own Exynos 2500 chip.
The Return of Exynos
In light of these financial setbacks, Samsung is gearing up to reintroduce its Exynos chips with the upcoming Galaxy S26. The Exynos 2600 chip is set to make a comeback in 2026. However, due to production challenges, Samsung plans to once again divide its chip supply, with European models receiving the Exynos 2600 and US and Chinese models likely to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 2.
Performance Disparity
Industry experts note that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips generally outperform Exynos chips, which has been a recurring theme in Samsung’s chip selection strategy. This disparity in performance has led to frustrations among consumers and critics alike.
The In-House Advantage
While using in-house components can be financially beneficial, the regional split in chip provision has been a point of contention. This practice often leads to disparities in phone performance across different markets, with US consumers typically receiving devices with better performance capabilities.
A Unified Approach
In an ideal scenario, following Google’s lead by fully embracing Exynos chips could potentially offer a more consistent performance experience for all Samsung customers worldwide. This approach would eliminate the performance gap between regions and provide a more equitable user experience.
As Samsung navigates the complexities of chip selection for its flagship devices, balancing performance, cost-effectiveness, and customer satisfaction remains a key challenge. The upcoming Galaxy S26 release will shed further light on Samsung’s strategic direction in the ever-evolving smartphone market.