Why Is Samsung Favouring Qualcomm Processors Over its In-House Exynos Chipsets?

Samsung has long used a mix of its in-house Exynos chipsets and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors in its smartphones, particularly in flagship models. However, recent leaks suggest that the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold7 will exclusively feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (or Snapdragon 8 Elite) globally, skipping Exynos entirely. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip7 is expected to feature the Exynos 2500 in some markets. This trend raises an important question: Why is Samsung favouring Qualcomm over its own Exynos processors?

Why Is Samsung Favouring Qualcomm Processors Over its In-House Exynos Chipsets?

Performance and Efficiency Gaps

One of the biggest reasons behind Samsung’s preference for Qualcomm processors in its premium devices is performance. Historically, Exynos chips have struggled to match their Snapdragon counterparts in terms of raw power, efficiency, and thermal management. This became particularly evident in past Galaxy S-series models, where the Exynos variants often faced criticism for overheating, lower battery efficiency, and weaker GPU performance compared to Snapdragon versions.

For instance, the Exynos 2200 in the Galaxy S22 series failed to impress, with issues in power consumption and gaming performance. In contrast, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performed better in key areas, leading Samsung to exclusively use Snapdragon chips for the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold5.

Partnership with Qualcomm

Another major factor is Samsung’s growing partnership with Qualcomm. In recent years, Samsung has secured special deals with Qualcomm to feature its latest and most powerful Snapdragon chips in flagship models. This not only ensures access to cutting-edge technology but also reduces development risks associated with Exynos chipsets.

Moreover, Samsung has a custom Snapdragon variant designed specifically for its devices. For example, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy offered higher clock speeds, giving Samsung’s flagship phones an edge over competitors using the standard version of the same chip.

Yield and Production Challenges

Developing and manufacturing high-end processors is a complex process, and Samsung’s semiconductor division has faced challenges in optimizing Exynos chipsets for mass production. While Samsung Foundry is capable of producing advanced chipsets, it often lags behind TSMC, which manufactures Qualcomm’s flagship processors. TSMC’s superior production yields mean that Snapdragon chips are more power-efficient and generate less heat, making them a more reliable choice for high-performance devices like the Galaxy Z Fold series.

The Role of AI and Advanced Features

AI-driven optimizations are becoming increasingly important in flagship smartphones. Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon processors come with industry-leading AI capabilities, particularly in areas like photography, voice recognition, and on-device AI processing. Samsung may prefer Qualcomm’s AI capabilities over its own Exynos chips to enhance user experience in its premium devices.

Why Is Exynos Still in Some Devices?

Despite these challenges, Samsung has not completely abandoned Exynos. The Exynos 2500 is expected to power the Galaxy Z Flip7 in select regions, likely as a cost-cutting measure. Since the Flip series is positioned as a more affordable foldable, Samsung may be trying to balance production costs by using its in-house chipset in non-premium markets.

Final Verdict:

While Samsung continues to develop Exynos processors, Qualcomm remains the preferred choice for flagship models like the Galaxy Z Fold7 due to superior performance, efficiency, and reliability. Unless Samsung can close the gap with future Exynos chips, this trend is likely to continue, with Qualcomm dominating Samsung’s high-end smartphone lineup.

See Also: Samsung Galaxy S25: The AI Revolution in Your Pocket