Galaxy Z Flip 7 May Still Skip Exynos in the US and More Markets

In a surprising twist, a new report claims the Galaxy Z Flip 7 won’t feature Samsung’s Exynos 2500 globally. According to Korean media, the Exynos variant will be limited to South Korea and possibly a few other regions. Most global markets, including the US, will get Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. This comes just a day after the US carrier model of the Flip 7 appeared on a benchmarking platform powered by the Exynos 2500, casting doubt on the report’s accuracy.

Galaxy Z Flip 7 may still ship with a Snapdragon processor in some markets

A new report from South Korea claims the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7 will feature Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2500 processor — but only in the Korean market. According to Korean industry sources, international models, including those for North America, will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite. However, a recent Geekbench leak throws a wrench into that claim.

Just a day ago, a US carrier variant of the Flip 7 (SM-F766U) appeared on Geekbench running the Exynos 2500. This suggests that Samsung changed course at the last minute, scrapping a wider Exynos rollout just as mass production began. Considering all the troubles Samsung has had with the Exynos 2500, we wouldn’t be surprised if the chip hit another setback during mass production.

Another theory is that the Korean report is inaccurate or outdated. The report highlights that Samsung intends to revive the Exynos brand by using the Exynos 2500 in its foldable lineup for the first time. It frames the move as an effort to improve profitability by reducing reliance on Qualcomm and showcasing its semiconductor prowess. However, using the Exynos chip only in South Korea doesn’t really make a huge difference in profit.

While the Exynos 2500 may not turn heads with its early benchmark scores on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, it still serves as a strategic showcase for Samsung’s semiconductor division. With further optimization, the new 3nm chip could eventually deliver competitive results and help rebuild trust in the Exynos brand. For now, though, the situation remains murky and inconsistent. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 appears on track to launch globally with the Snapdragon 8 Elite.