TSMC is closing in with its 2nm N2 process, and Samsung is already prepping its next-generation SF2P+ process. However, with Samsung breaking the 2nm barrier ahead of TSMC last year, the newer process is expected to introduce tough competition. Therefore, Qualcomm is reportedly considering slashing prices of its processors for Samsung to prevent Exynos from reaching the masses.
Qualcomm Prepares a Counter to Samsung's Advanced 2nm Ambitions
According to user Schrödinger on X, Qualcomm is actively developing an aggressive financial strategy to prevent Samsung from expanding its Exynos chipsets across the premium Galaxy ecosystem. This is reportedly due to the concerns over Samsung's upcoming hardware roadmap.
For those unaware, Qualcomm is seemingly anxious that Samsung's second-generation 2nm (SF2P+) could capture a significantly large volume of Galaxy phone shipments, despite the higher costs associated with the cutting-edge node. A major volume shift to Exynos represents a massive financial risk for Qualcomm.
Sources claim that Qualcomm is considering two potential paths – Renewing the partnership with Samsung or introducing deep price cuts for components bound for the Galaxy smartphone hardware. It was recently also reported that Qualcomm could return to Samsung foundry for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.
This would allow Qualcomm to underlock the Exynos 2700, pushing Samsung to use the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 across its flagship lineups, and even more mid-range processors in its other phones. The leak suggests that the "Snapdragon for Galaxy" chips could go down in price by 16%.
This would make Qualcomm's flagship silicon approximately 12% cheaper for Samsung to acquire than its own upcoming Exynos 2700 chipset. Furthermore, the ongoing chip shortage could favour Qualcomm's decision, as Samsung is probably struggling to cut costs wherever it can to stop absorbing the prices.
Initially, Samsung had plans of releasing the base variants of the Galaxy S27 series with Exynos 2700. For those unaware, Samsung did the same with Galaxy S26 and S26+. However, insiders suggest that if Qualcomm's heavy discounts go through, Samsung will likely expand its Snapdragon usage beyond flagship models.
The leak notes that the information remains largely unconfirmed and should be taken with a grain of salt until official component supply agreements are finalised. Meanwhile, it is already largely speculated that Galaxy S27 Ultra chipset may arrive with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.
That said, considering the strides Samsung has made with Exynos recently, it should be interesting to see if the brand gives in and takes the offer. Would that mean Exynos 2700 might not come out? Or will the Snapdragon DNA run on Samsung's S2FP+ process? Only time will tell.
