Samsung has officially kicked off mass production of its next-gen Exynos 2500 chipset, but it seems the road ahead is rocky. Reports suggest the 3nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) process is struggling with poor yields, meaning Samsung may only be able to produce a limited number of chips each month. This could severely restrict the SoC’s availability, making it exclusive to just one smartphone model.
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Why the Exynos 2500 Is Missing from the Galaxy S25 Lineup
Initially expected to rival Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite and power Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S25 series, the Exynos 2500 instead faced delays. Samsung has reportedly been optimizing the chip for a later release in the second half of 2025. With mass production now underway, industry insiders claim that yield issues continue to plague Samsung’s 3nm fabrication process, potentially limiting the chipset’s use to a single device.
This delay raises questions about Samsung’s ability to compete with Qualcomm in the high-end chipset space. Historically, Exynos chips have been criticized for lagging behind Snapdragon counterparts in efficiency and thermal management. The Exynos 2500 was seen as a redemption opportunity, promising to close the performance gap. However, with production challenges looming, it remains uncertain whether Samsung can deliver a competitive alternative to Qualcomm’s latest offerings.
Exynos 2500 Faces Production Constraints
According to The Bell, Samsung is producing only about 5,000 units of the Exynos 2500 per month. Given that Samsung ships millions of smartphones annually, this tiny production volume indicates that only a select model will receive the new chipset. Leaks suggest that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 might be the chosen device to feature the Exynos 2500, marking a significant shift in Samsung’s chip deployment strategy.
This limited production capacity is a result of Samsung’s ongoing struggles with its 3nm GAA technology. The company has yet to achieve satisfactory yield rates, with reports indicating that less than 50% of produced chips meet the required standards. This low yield percentage suggests that Samsung is facing significant challenges in scaling its 3nm technology, a critical step if it wants to compete with TSMC, which has already advanced in 3nm chip manufacturing.
With such limited production capabilities, Samsung may have to allocate the Exynos 2500 exclusively to its foldable lineup, a niche market compared to its flagship S-series. This decision could also indicate a shift in Samsung’s strategy, using the foldable lineup as a testing ground for its latest in-house chips before rolling them out to its mainstream devices.
Performance and AMD Collaboration
Despite its exclusivity, the Exynos 2500 boasts some impressive specs. It reportedly retains the 10-core CPU configuration of its predecessor, the Exynos 2400. Samsung is once again partnering with AMD to integrate the Xclipse 950 GPU, which is said to be based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture.
This collaboration between Samsung and AMD aims to push mobile gaming performance to new heights. The previous Exynos 2400 also benefited from AMD’s expertise, bringing features such as ray tracing to mobile devices. However, the real-world impact of these advancements has been inconsistent, with Snapdragon-powered devices often delivering better performance and efficiency. The Exynos 2500 will need to demonstrate significant improvements in GPU performance and power efficiency to justify Samsung’s continued reliance on AMD’s graphics technology.
However, early benchmark results paint a less-than-ideal picture. A leaked Geekbench 6 test suggests the Exynos 2500 lags behind Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite in both single-core and multi-core performance. This performance gap may have influenced Samsung’s decision to exclude the Exynos 2500 from its flagship S25 series, opting instead for a more strategic rollout in the foldable lineup.
If these benchmark results hold true, Samsung’s challenge will be twofold: improving its chipset’s real-world performance and addressing consumer perception. The company has long struggled with public perception regarding Exynos chips, with many users preferring Snapdragon variants due to their consistent performance and efficiency. Samsung will need to work hard to change this narrative with the Exynos 2500.
Strategic Move: Prioritizing the Galaxy Z Flip 7?
Samsung’s decision to pair the Exynos 2500 with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 could be a calculated move. By pricing the foldable phone more competitively, the company could offset the performance trade-offs and improve profit margins. This approach allows Samsung to maintain a presence in the premium chipset market while fine-tuning its 3nm process for better yields in future iterations.
Using the Galaxy Z Flip 7 as a testbed for the Exynos 2500 allows Samsung to gauge user feedback before deploying the chipset on a larger scale. Foldable phones, while growing in popularity, remain a niche market compared to traditional smartphones. This limited exposure gives Samsung room to refine its chipset technology without the high stakes associated with its flagship Galaxy S series.
Additionally, Samsung’s move to use its in-house chipset in a foldable phone aligns with its broader strategy of vertical integration. By relying on its own silicon, Samsung can reduce dependence on Qualcomm and optimize hardware-software integration. If successful, this approach could pave the way for more Exynos-powered devices in the future.
What This Means for Samsung’s Chipset Strategy
Samsung’s semiconductor division has faced significant hurdles in recent years, particularly in its efforts to compete with industry leader TSMC. The company’s transition to 3nm GAA technology was meant to be a game-changer, promising improved power efficiency and performance. However, the current production constraints indicate that Samsung is still ironing out the technical challenges associated with this advanced manufacturing process.
If Samsung can overcome its yield issues and scale up production, the Exynos 2500 could mark the beginning of a new era for the company’s mobile chip division. However, if these problems persist, Samsung risks falling further behind Qualcomm and TSMC, forcing it to rely more heavily on Snapdragon chips for its flagship devices.
Moreover, the success or failure of the Exynos 2500 could influence Samsung’s long-term strategy for custom silicon. There have been reports that Samsung is exploring custom CPU designs, similar to Apple’s approach with its A-series chips. If Samsung can refine its chipset development process, future Exynos chips may feature proprietary CPU cores, giving the company greater control over performance and power efficiency.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Exynos and Samsung’s Mobile Division
While the Exynos 2500 may not be a game-changer just yet, its development marks a crucial step for Samsung’s semiconductor ambitions. If the company can resolve its production challenges, the Exynos lineup could once again become a formidable competitor to Qualcomm’s dominance.
For now, all eyes are on the official launch later this year. Will the Exynos 2500 exceed expectations despite its rough start? Samsung’s ability to optimize its 3nm process and improve yield rates will determine whether the Exynos 2500 becomes a stepping stone for future chipsets or a footnote in the company’s ongoing battle for mobile chip supremacy.
As Samsung continues to refine its chip development process, the broader industry will be watching closely. If the Exynos 2500 succeeds, it could signal a turning point for Samsung’s foundry business, restoring confidence in its ability to produce high-performance mobile chipsets. On the other hand, if yield issues persist, Samsung may need to reconsider its approach to in-house chip development.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on Samsung’s next-gen chipset and its impact on the future of mobile computing.
