We’re eagerly awaiting Samsung’s next big reveal, with the Galaxy S25 expected to debut in January. Meanwhile, all eyes are on the upcoming foldables, the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, set to be unveiled on July 10 at a Samsung event in Paris. However, a fresh leak from the renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has spilled some beans about the Galaxy S25’s specs.
Galaxy S25 to Feature Snapdragon 8 Gen 4
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is anticipated to come equipped with the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. According to Kuo, Qualcomm will be the exclusive supplier for the S25, a shift from the previous year when it supplied only 40% of the chips for the S24. This move means Samsung users won’t face the performance disparity between Qualcomm and Exynos models, as the Exynos 2500 isn’t ready to ship due to lower-than-expected 3nm yield issues.
Exclusive Qualcomm Deal
Kuo’s insights highlight Qualcomm’s gain, taking over the entire supply share for the S25. This exclusivity benefits Qualcomm and Samsung users, who generally prefer the robust performance of Snapdragon chips over Exynos. The exclusive supplier for these chips is TSMC, which is also poised to benefit significantly from this deal.
Pricing Concerns
The downside? The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will be 25-30% pricier than its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This could potentially add a hundred dollars or more to the Galaxy S25’s price tag. Given that the S24 Ultra already starts at over $1,000, Samsung faces a tough decision on whether to absorb these costs or pass them on to consumers.
Market Impact
Despite this potential price hike, there’s no need to hit the panic button just yet. Samsung might choose to mitigate the impact of these increased costs to maintain competitive pricing. With the launch still months away, there’s plenty of time for Samsung to strategize its pricing to avoid alienating its customer base.
In Summary
- Galaxy S25 Launch: Expected January 2024.
- Key Hardware: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.
- Supplier: Qualcomm as the sole supplier.
- Exynos 2500: Not shipping due to 3nm yield issues.
- Pricing Impact: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is 25-30% more expensive.
- Market Strategy: Samsung may absorb some costs to keep prices competitive.
Stay tuned as more details emerge closer to the launch date. Samsung’s strategic moves in the coming months will be critical in setting the stage for the Galaxy S25’s success.
