Qualcomm’s decision to dual-source the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip from TSMC and Samsung could make the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 more expensive. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, which is rumored to boast Nuvia CPU cores, could potentially find its way into select Galaxy S25 units.
While the ramifications of this decision are not yet fully clear, it raises concerns for Samsung Foundry, as Qualcomm’s choice to possibly favor TSMC’s manufacturing process over its long-time partner Samsung’s advanced 3nm GAP process could lead to unforeseen consequences and an increase in cost of Galaxy S25.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips have been instrumental in powering Samsung’s Galaxy lineup globally, a collaboration that has underpinned the success of numerous Samsung flagship smartphones.
However, the decision to dual-source the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip could make Qualcomm’s Samsung Galaxy S25 more expensive, which may be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices for the Galaxy S25. Samsung has always launched two versions of its Galaxy S series phones, one that uses Exynos chips and the other that uses Qualcomm Snapdragon chips.
However, earlier this year, Samsung launched the Galaxy S23 series that exclusively uses Snapdragon chips. As we look ahead to 2025, the potential inclusion of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in select Galaxy S25 models adds an intriguing layer to this evolving narrative.
It remains to be seen how this decision will increase the pricing of the Galaxy S25, but it is clear that Qualcomm’s move to dual-source the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip could have an impact on the cost of Samsung.
Thus, Qualcomm’s decision to dual-source the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip from TSMC and Samsung could make the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 more expensive. How this dynamic plays out in the market will undoubtedly be of great interest to both industry insiders and consumers alike, as it could impact the cost and affordability of this highly anticipated flagship device.
