Samsung appears poised to launch its first foldable with an Exynos processor. According to the Korean media, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will feature the in-house Exynos 2500 processor, a 3nm chip. The Fold 7, meanwhile, may stick to a Qualcomm chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
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Exynos 2500 looks set to debut with the Galaxy Z Flip 7
Samsung has reportedly completed preparations to mass-produce the Galaxy Z Flip 7 with the Exynos 2500, targeting an initial stock of over 200,000 units by June. This decision comes despite widespread concerns about the second-generation 3nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) process used in the chip, which has been plagued by low yield rates estimated between 20% and 40%. That’s far below the usual production threshold of 60%.
In light of these yield issues, some speculate that the Exynos 2500 variant for the Flip 7 could be underclocked compared to its original design. In fact, the company could end up calling it Exynos 2500e. This would allow Samsung to work around performance instability caused by the immature 3nm process, enabling more consistent output during mass production.
Meanwhile, this also confirms that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite “for Galaxy” edition. This is the same chipset that Samsung ships inside the Galaxy S25 lineup. The company originally planned to use the Exynos 2500 in S25 phones, but multiple factors didn’t allow that. The Flip 7 might finally debut the Exyos chip, albeit an underclocked version.
Samsung aims to protect its profit margin
While this move gives Samsung a chance to show that its foundry unit is still alive and kicking, cost efficiency is said to be a driving factor behind its decision to use Exynos in the Flip 7. Qualcomm has been increasing its AP pricing annually, so leveraging in-house chips gives Samsung greater flexibility in future negotiations. It also helps protect the profit margin as Samsung cannot increase foldable prices any further.
Some analysts view the Exynos 2500’s debut in the Flip 7 as a testbed for Samsung’s long-term semiconductor ambitions. “By focusing on the mass production of 3nm GAA APs, Samsung will accumulate experience and results that could help improve the yield of future 2nm GAA processes,” said Kim Yong-seok, a semiconductor expert at Gachon University. Time will tell whether this approach pays off.
