Report: Galaxy S26 to use Samsung-made Snapdragon 8 Elite sequel, not TSMC version

Ben Schoon | Jun 25 2025 - 7:45 am PT

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series will reportedly use Snapdragon chips, but ones made by Samsung’s foundry rather than TSMC if a new report turns out to be true.

Qualcomm has been producing special “For Galaxy” editions of its flagship Snapdragon chips for the past few years, usually offering a slightly overclocked version of the chip as an exclusive for Galaxy devices. But that’s really been the only key difference. The chips are still made in the same place and based on the same design. Apparently, though, this could change with next year’s release.

According to Business Post (via @Jukanlosreve), Qualcomm is planning two separate versions of its Snapdragon 8 Elite sequel. One would be based on a 3nm process at TSMC, while the other would use Samsung’s 2nm process. The TSMC version would be used broadly, while the Samsung version would, fittingly, be used in Galaxy devices. Testing is still underway, and Samsung’s 2nm yield is still growing and currently though to be around 40%.

This would mark a major shift for Qualcomm, as the company has been producing Snapdragon chips almost exclusively through TSMC for the past few years.

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It’s also a big win for Samsung’s foundry, which has been hurting as a result of its poor 3nm yield. Among many other customers it failed to security, Google recently left Samsung’s foundry behind in a switch to TSMC. The switch for Tensor chips was viewed as a “shock” for Samsung.

What do you think of this potential change?

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series is due to launch early next year, with new foldables hitting the market in the meantime.

Samsung has reservations open now for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, with a $50 credit when you pre-order and up to $1,150+ in savings. Reservations are free, and there’s no obligation to actually buy a device if you sign up, but there’s no other time you can get that $50 credit (which can go towards Galaxy Watch 8), 3x reward points, and other perks.