Key Points:
- Samsung aims to improve production yield for its Exynos 2500 chip to power the Galaxy S25 series.
- Low yield rates threaten Exynos inclusion, potentially forcing an all-Snapdragon S25 lineup.
- The company remains committed to in-house chip development despite past shortcomings.
Samsung is locked in a battle for its Exynos processor’s future in the upcoming Galaxy S25 series. The company is reportedly making a valiant effort to boost production yield for the Exynos 2500 chip, a crucial factor in determining its inclusion in the flagship phones.
The crux of the issue lies in yield rate, the percentage of usable chips produced during manufacturing. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Samsung’s current yield for the Exynos 2500 falls short of the 60% threshold needed for mass production. This shortfall could force Samsung to rely solely on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip for the Galaxy S25, effectively abandoning its in-house Exynos option.
This scenario isn’t entirely new. In 2023, widespread user dissatisfaction with the Exynos variant of the Galaxy S22 series prompted Samsung to equip the entire S23 lineup with Snapdragon chips. However, the Exynos SoC made a comeback this year with the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus, showcasing Samsung’s continued commitment to its own processor development.
The success of Samsung’s efforts to improve the Exynos 2500 yield will determine its fate in the Galaxy S25. If they manage to achieve the necessary production efficiency, the Exynos 2500 could find itself powering the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus in many regions. This would mark a significant win for Samsung’s chip independence and a potential return to user confidence in Exynos processors.
The coming months will be crucial as Samsung races against time to refine its manufacturing process. The stakes are high, with the potential outcome impacting not only the Galaxy S25 lineup but also the future trajectory of Samsung’s Exynos processors.
