While it seems that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will likely come equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, there’s still uncertainty surrounding the base models, the Galaxy S25 and S25+. Initially, the Exynos 2500 chip was supposed to be used in certain regional versions, but new reports indicate that production issues with Samsung’s 3nm manufacturing process might lead to a switch to alternative processors, such as MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400.
Production Issues with Exynos 2500
A report from the Korean media source NewsWay has revealed that Samsung’s 3nm manufacturing yield has dropped significantly, with it being reported at under 20%. This low yield rate has discouraged Samsung from proceeding with large-scale production of the Exynos 2500 chip, which was initially intended for some versions of the Galaxy S25 series.
The setbacks in producing the Exynos 2500 could have widespread consequences. Samsung’s foundry division, which is already dealing with major financial issues, might suffer considerable losses because of this matter. Analysts estimate that these losses could reach as much as 1 trillion won in the third quarter of this year alone.
Shifting Strategies
Samsung has long tried to balance its dependence on third-party chip manufacturers like Qualcomm by creating its own Exynos chips. However, the low yield from its 3nm process may lead to a more externally-sourced chipset approach. The low output isn’t just a problem for Samsung’s System LSI division (which handles Exynos chip design) but also affects other partners relying on Samsung’s foundries.
This predicament has sparked speculation about other processors, with industry insiders believing that Samsung could substitute the Exynos 2500 with MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 for the Galaxy S25 and S25+ in some markets. Notably, the Dimensity 9400 boasts performance enhancements, improved power efficiency, and sophisticated AI features, making it a viable option for Samsung.
Benchmarking the Galaxy S25+
While Samsung is currently testing the European version of the Galaxy S25+ equipped with the Exynos 2500, this might just be part of an internal assessment process and not a definitive choice. Benchmark results for the Exynos 2500 suggest that it has significantly lower performance compared to the Snapdragon flagship. This raises concerns about whether the Exynos 2500 can meet the high-performance standards expected from Samsung’s leading devices.
In the end, the ultimate choice of chipsets will likely hinge on how quickly Samsung can resolve its 3nm yield problems. For now, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite is poised to be the main candidate for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, while MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 could step in as a substitute for the Exynos 2500 in the S25 and S25+.
