Samsung is reportedly set to manufacture Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chips
Recent reports suggest that Qualcomm is planning to dual-source the second generation of its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset , with both Samsung and TSMC involved in production.
According to South Korean publication Sedaily , Qualcomm has struck a deal with Samsung to manufacture a version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (Elite) using its advanced 2nm process node . At the same time, TSMC will produce another variant using its 3nm technology .
Samsung’s Role:
- Chips will be fabricated at Samsung’s Hwaseong S3 plant
- Expected output: around 1,000 12-inch wafers per month
- Target devices: Likely reserved for Galaxy flagships launching in late 2025 , such as the Galaxy Z Fold8 , Z Flip8 , and possibly the Tab S11 series
Recent reports indicate that Qualcomm and Samsung have extended their collaboration beyond smartphones , reaching a similar chipmaking deal for an XR-focused chipset .
Qualcomm & Samsung Expand Partnership
- The two companies are working on a 4nm chipset designed specifically for eXtended Reality (XR) headsets
- This chip will power Samsung’s Project Moohan , an upcoming XR headset expected to launch later this year
- Samsung is also reportedly developing two additional XR devices: Project Haean and Project Jinju , though it’s unclear which chips will be used in those models
Samsung’s 2nm Capacity and Snapdragon Deal
- Samsung has the capacity to produce 7,000 12-inch wafers per month using its 2nm process node
- The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2nd Gen (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) deal accounts for around 15% of that capacity (about 1,000 wafers/month)
- While modest in scale, this partnership signals confidence in Samsung’s foundry capabilities , which could help attract more clients in the future
Exynos 2600 and Galaxy S26 Plans
- Samsung’s own next-gen mobile chipset, the Exynos 2600 , is also expected to use the 2nm process
- Leaks suggest the Exynos 2600 will be part of the Galaxy S26 series , expected in early 2025
- However, it’s still uncertain whether all global variants of the S26 will use Exynos, as availability of TSMC-made Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chips may affect regional distribution
Looking Ahead
- Qualcomm is expected to officially unveil the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2nd Gen in October 2024
- That’s when we’ll likely get clarity on production timelines, performance improvements, and which manufacturers will adopt the new chip
This evolving relationship between Samsung and Qualcomm reflects broader shifts in the semiconductor industry — with Samsung aiming to solidify its position as a major player in advanced chip manufacturing.
