Samsung is on the verge of making a significant transformation in the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Flip FE foldable flip phones. According to a recent report, the Korean company plans to abandon the Qualcomm chipset used in the current Galaxy Z Flip 6 and instead adopt its own Exynos silicon. This move could have a major impact on the smartphone market and Samsung's future product lineup.

Unveiling Samsung's Bold Move in Chipset Technology

Current Landscape of Samsung's Foldable Phones

Up until now, Samsung has been relying heavily on high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs in its foldable phones worldwide. The Galaxy Z Flip 6, which was released earlier this year, runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, demonstrating Qualcomm's dominance in this segment. However, the Chosun report suggests a change is on the horizon. 2: This shift away from Qualcomm could be a strategic decision by Samsung to gain more control over its product development and potentially reduce costs. By using its own Exynos chipset, Samsung can customize the hardware and software to better suit its needs and preferences. It also allows the company to showcase its technological prowess and innovation in the field of chip design.

The Struggle with Exynos Chip Production

Throughout the year, we have heard numerous reports about Samsung's difficulties in mass-producing its next-generation Exynos chip. The company has faced challenges in stabilizing the 3nm manufacturing yield at its chip-making facilities. But now, it seems that Samsung has finally overcome these obstacles and is ready to ramp up production. 2: An unnamed Samsung official told Chosun that while there were initial difficulties in applying the gate-all-around (GAA) process in the second-generation 3nm foundry process, the process has now stabilized. This is a significant milestone for Samsung and could pave the way for more Exynos-powered devices in the future.

Implications for the Galaxy S25 Series

There were some speculations that the Exynos 2500 chip could be used in the Galaxy S25 series, which is rumored to be launched next month. However, the report suggests that the quantity of Exynos chips may not be sufficient in time for the early 2025 launch. But it is still possible that the premium models of the Z Flip will feature the Exynos chip, which typically appears in the latter half of the year. 2: This raises questions about Samsung's production capabilities and its ability to meet the demand for both Qualcomm and Exynos-powered devices. It also highlights the importance of having a reliable and efficient chip manufacturing process to ensure smooth product launches and customer satisfaction.

Impact on Samsung's Foundry Business

Samsung has been working hard to fix its foundry business this year, and the move to increase Exynos chip production is part of this effort. By reducing its reliance on Qualcomm chips, Samsung can potentially increase its profit margins and gain more independence in the smartphone market. 2: Additionally, the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip that will power the Galaxy S25 lineup is expected to be more expensive than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 system-on-chip. This could put pressure on Samsung to offer competitive pricing for its Exynos-powered devices to attract customers.

Regional Considerations

The Chosun report does not clarify whether the Exynos setup will be for the entire globe or just certain regions. In the past, Samsung has used different chipset options in different parts of the world. For example, the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus were released with Snapdragon chips in some regions and Exynos chips in others. 2: This raises concerns about potential market fragmentation and customer confusion. Samsung will need to carefully manage the rollout of Exynos-powered devices to ensure a seamless user experience across different regions.