There have been intriguing developments surrounding Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. Initially, two versions were in the works, one utilizing Samsung’s advanced 2nm GAA process, supposedly with the codename ‘Kaanapali S.’ However, rumors suggest that Qualcomm has opted not to launch both variants at the Snapdragon Summit. As a result, they have reportedly dropped Samsung as a partner and removed the 8850-S and 8850-T identifiers, leaving TSMC as the exclusive supplier.
The removal of these identifiers means we will likely see a single version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, known as the SM8850. This consolidation is accompanied by a rise in costs for the Qualcomm Reference Design, hinting at increased pricing.
Many hoped that Qualcomm would keep flagship chipset prices stable, but without the dual-sourcing from Samsung, this seems challenging. A notable leak suggests that the 8850-S and 8850-T identifiers, marking Samsung and TSMC as sources respectively, are no longer valid.
This streamlined approach means the SM8850 will power forthcoming flagship devices, including Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series. There has been no official statement on why Qualcomm decided against using Samsung’s manufacturing process. Still, speculation points to Samsung’s current struggle with yield efficiency, unable to surpass traditional hurdles.
In recent mass production prototypes like the Exynos 2600, Samsung aimed to improve 2nm GAA yields to 50 percent, a target far from the 70 percent needed for viable mass production. Qualcomm likely foresaw potential issues, such as increased defect rates, prompting a pivot solely to TSMC’s manufacturing, which could drive up costs for partners.
Presently, the SM8850, also referred to as QRD8850, is expected to command a hefty price tag of $15,000, impacting the testing phase for smartphone manufacturers. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 will now be exclusively produced on TSMC’s advanced 3nm process, dubbed ‘N3P.’ If Samsung makes a successful return, updates will follow. Stay tuned for further developments!
