Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset likely to raise Samsung Galaxy S25 costs

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 series may come with a higher price tag, and the reason lies in the expected use of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor. Industry reports suggest that Qualcomm’s upcoming chipset could significantly raise the cost of future flagship smartphones, potentially impacting not just Samsung’s Galaxy S25 but a wide range of Android devices.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset is expected to cost $240 (around £185 / AU$360), representing a 20.68% increase from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This translates to a price jump of approximately $40 (roughly £30 / AU$60) per unit. Such a substantial increase is likely to be passed on to consumers, meaning that the Galaxy S25 line, along with other Android smartphones using the Snapdragon chipset, could see a significant price rise.

The price hike won’t be limited to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series but could also impact other flagship devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and upcoming models from OnePlus, Xiaomi, Sony, and others. The news has caused concern among potential buyers, as smartphone prices are already on the rise, and this chipset price hike may push them further.

However, it’s important to note that many factors influence the final retail price of smartphones, and not all of the increase may be directly passed on to consumers. Samsung, being one of the largest smartphone manufacturers in the world, could negotiate lower prices with Qualcomm. Additionally, there’s speculation that if the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 proves too costly, Samsung may opt to use other chipsets such as its in-house Exynos or even MediaTek in some models.

While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is expected to deliver better performance and efficiency, its cost may become a barrier to more affordable devices. Still, as this information is based on leaks and unconfirmed reports, Samsung’s final pricing strategy remains to be seen. With the anticipated launch still some time away, consumers will be closely watching for further updates.