Samsung Galaxy S25 series might see a price hike due to use of Qualcomm chipset | Tech Tips

Samsung Galaxy S25 series is expected to debut on January 22nd at the famous ‘Galaxy Unpacked’ event. The lineup will include a total of three models, the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+ and the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Rumours have it that all three phones will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset in all regions owing to the low yields of the Exynos 2500. This shift in strategy may lead to a price hike in the Galaxy S25 series. Read along.

Samsung Galaxy S25 series price hike expected: here’s why

• Qualcomm is reportedly (via) charging $190 (around Rs 16,300) for each Snapdragon 8 Elite AP (application processor) that will be used on the Galaxy S25 series. This is considering the change in architecture, processing prowess, AI features and other upgrades.
• This will be the first Snapdragon AP that will be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process node and there are possibilities of TSMC increasing the price for building the SoC.
• This in turn may impact the Galaxy S25 series cost and could result in a price hike.

• For context, Samsung usually uses the Qualcomm chipset for its flagships in specific regions like the US, Canada, and China and Exynos SoC for markets like India.
• However, this time it is reported that Samsung Foundry was unable to achieve enough yields for its 3nm chipset.
• Usually, 70 percent is needed for mass production but Samsung is said to have only achieved 20-30 percent. This means the company will have to use too many extra expensive silicon wafers to produce enough Exynos 2500 chips needed for its 2025 flagships.
• This led Samsung to drop the idea of using the Exynos 2500 for its Galaxy S25 flagships and turn to Qualcomm.
• All the Galaxy S25 series models are expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and may see a price hike.
• Going back in time, Samsung reportedly faced a similar situation where low yields of Samsung’s 4nm node made Qualcomm move production of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 to TSMC, which was later revised and introduced as Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.

As of Q3 2024, it is reported that TSMC has a 64 percent share of the contract foundry industry while Samsung Foundry’s share is at 12 percent.

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