Samsung Galaxy S27 Could Lean More Heavily on Snapdragon Than Expected as Exynos 2700 Faces Cost Challenges
Samsung may have ambitious plans for its next-generation Exynos chip, but new supply chain claims suggest the company could struggle to use the Exynos 2700 as widely as previously expected in the Galaxy S27 series.
Earlier reports suggested Samsung wanted the Exynos 2700 to power around half of all Galaxy S27 shipments, signaling a major push to reduce dependence on Qualcomm. That would have been an important step for Samsung’s semiconductor division, especially after years of mixed reception for Exynos-powered flagship phones. However, a new claim from tipster Smart Chip Insider suggests that Samsung’s strategy may be harder to execute than it first appeared.
The main issue appears to be manufacturing cost.
The Exynos 2700 is expected to be built on Samsung’s second-generation 2nm GAA process, while Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro are rumored to use TSMC’s 2nm N2P technology. TSMC’s process is currently viewed by many industry watchers as more competitive, which could give Qualcomm an advantage in performance, efficiency, and manufacturing economics.
According to the latest claim, Samsung’s 2nm chip production may be more expensive than expected. If true, this would make the Exynos 2700 less attractive for broad use across the Galaxy S27 lineup, especially in the base model where pricing pressure is typically stronger.
Another challenge is Samsung’s lack of multiple Exynos 2700 variants. Qualcomm is expected to offer both a standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and a higher-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro. This gives smartphone brands more flexibility. A company can choose the more affordable Snapdragon option for a standard flagship and reserve the more powerful version for premium models.
Samsung, on the other hand, is rumored to have only one Exynos 2700 version. Without a lower-cost binned variant, it may be difficult for Samsung to use its own chip in the base Galaxy S27 while keeping costs under control. That could make the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 a more practical choice, especially if Qualcomm prices it aggressively.
The timing is also complicated by the ongoing memory market situation. Rising DRAM costs have already placed pressure on smartphone manufacturers, and premium devices are expected to become more expensive as component prices climb. Samsung may need to protect profit margins wherever possible, even if that means changing its original chipset plans.
There are also rumors that Samsung could use BOE displays for the base Galaxy S27 instead of relying entirely on its own OLED panels. If that happens, it would likely be part of a broader cost-saving strategy. Using more affordable display components could help offset higher memory prices and other rising production expenses.
This situation highlights the difference between Samsung and Qualcomm’s business models. Qualcomm sells chips to many smartphone makers, so it can create multiple versions of a chipset and price them strategically. Samsung’s Exynos chips are primarily tied to its own phones, which limits flexibility. If the Exynos 2700 costs more to produce and lacks a cheaper version, Samsung may have little choice but to use more Qualcomm silicon than originally planned.
That does not mean the Exynos 2700 will disappear from the Galaxy S27 series. Samsung is still expected to use the chip in some capacity, especially if the company wants to demonstrate progress in its custom mobile processor development. However, the scale of adoption may be lower than earlier rumors suggested.
For Samsung, the decision will likely come down to margins, availability, and performance. The company may want to prove that Exynos can compete with Snapdragon at the highest level, but flagship smartphone pricing leaves little room for costly experiments. If Qualcomm can offer strong performance at a better price, Samsung may prioritize business realities over internal chip ambitions.
The Galaxy S27 series is still far from launch, so plans could change. Memory prices may stabilize, manufacturing yields could improve, and Samsung’s 2nm process may become more cost-effective over time. If that happens, the Exynos 2700 could still play a larger role.
For now, though, the latest rumor points to a Galaxy S27 lineup that may rely more heavily on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 family than Samsung originally intended. The Exynos 2700 may still be part of the story, but it may not be the headline act Samsung hoped for.
