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[Report] Samsung starts 3nm Exynos 2500 production, but it may not power Galaxy S25
Samsung started mass production of Exynos 2500 using its cutting edge 3nm process node, Seoul Economic Daily reports. While the production commenced as an unexpected development, the chip won’t power the Galaxy flagship that you think.
According to the report (via Jukanlosreve), Samsung Foundry recently kicked off Exynos 2500 AP’s mass production using wafers at the Hwaseong S3 facility with 3nm process tech. The processor is expected to be featured in the Galaxy Z Flip 7 next year.
Last year, Samsung announced the Exynos 2500 will be made using a 3nm process node. It was anticipated to power the Galaxy S25 series. However, the low yield rate led the company to push the commercialization to the Z Flip 7.
This development could provide both expanded use of the chip, valuable mass production experience, and increased revenue. It could also serve as a stepping stone for the 2nm products scheduled for mass production next year.
Fabricating flagship SoCs usually takes about 5 to 6 months. That said, the timeframe aligns with the tentative Galaxy Z Flip 7 debut in July next year. The MX Division reportedly planned to ship 3.9 million units of the Z Flip 7 and Z Flip FE next year.
An industry insider stated, “This suggests that the MX division has concluded that the Exynos 2500’s performance is suitable for the new smartphone and has placed an order with the DS division.”
It’s a bold move by Samsung that could provide a lifeline to the Device Solutions Division. The company’s semiconductor business has been struggling in the recent past, particularly in the foundry and system LSI business units.
Although mass production of the AP has started, it is reported that yields are currently unstable, hovering around 20%. The lower yield rate harmed Samsung much as it left out winning clients for 3nm product manufacturing this year.
Samsung Galaxy S25 series could get a price hike in South Korea. The reason is political chaos in the country, including the brief implementation of martial law.
Korean media reports that Samsung may increase the price of the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra. Due to political turmoil, the Korean currency has significantly weakened to the US dollar.
The Galaxy S25 series could be affected by exchange rates. TSMC has already raised its production costs, and the rising value of the dollar has significantly increased chip purchase costs.
After President Yoon’s “emergency martial law” incident, the Korean Won’s rates have weakened against the US dollar, which has led to an increase in product prices.
Samsung is likely to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip across the Galaxy S25 series. As there is no Exynos configured, the company may have an intense burden of product costs.
Galaxy S24 and S24+ released earlier this year cost the same as their predecessor. However, the S24 Ultra’s price increased by 100,000 won compared to the Galaxy S23 Ultra due to Snapdragon.
Qualcomm has increased the Snapdragon chipset’s pricing by up to 30%. This is due to the utilization of TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm fabrication process for the first time.
As all models tentatively use Snapdragon chips, a price hike seems unavoidable. However, freezing prices would significantly affect the company’s operating profit and revenue generation.
Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1299 in the US, while the S24 Ultra starts at $1399. There’s already a difference of $100, and another price bump would reduce Samsung’s storm.
Samsung has launched the Enterprise Edition of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24 in India. These devices are strictly designed to meet the needs of businesses by offering enhanced security, extended support, and streamlined management.
The new Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra Enterprise Edition smartphones aim to empower businesses with reliable, secure, and manageable mobile solutions tailored to the rapidly digitizing business landscape in India.
Here are the key features and offerings for businesses:
Key Features of Galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra Enterprise Edition
Built for Business
Includes popular Galaxy AI features such as:
- Live Translate and Interpreter for real-time translations.
- Note Assist for generating summaries and templates in Samsung Notes.
- Circle to Search with Google for enhanced search capabilities.
Enhanced Security and Management
- Includes a 12-month subscription to Knox Suite:
- Defense-grade security.
- Streamlined device/OS management.
- Insights into device usage and security.
- Offers up to 7 years of continuous firmware updates to protect against threats like malware and phishing.
- Tailored capabilities for frontline workers.
Specifications
Galaxy S24 Ultra Enterprise Edition:
- 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.
Galaxy S24 Enterprise Edition:
- 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.
Both models provide stable device availability, continuous patch management, and consistent Android OS version updates for up to seven years.
Business Continuity
- A 3-year warranty ensures uninterrupted market availability and device support.
- Designed to handle demanding business use cases, enabling seamless operations.
Availability
The Galaxy S24, S24 Ultra Enterprise Edition, and rugged XCover7 smartphones are available for corporate and institutional customers via the Samsung Corporate+ portal at Samsung.com/in/corporateplus.
Apple outpaced Samsung in the adoption of a 3nm chipset last year. It looks like Apple will beat Samsung in the 2nm TSMC chip next year. A new report suggests that next year’s iPhone Pro series will boast a 2nm chipset.
Taiwan’s Commercial Times reports that TSMC’s 2nm process is set to begin design work between January and April next year. Apple will be the first 2nm TSMC customer, beating Qualcomm which supplies Snapdragon chips to Samsung.
Currently, the most advanced process is 3nm, which both TSMC and Samsung Electronics are capable of producing. As the width of semiconductor circuit lines narrows, power efficiency improves, and performance increases.
Last heard, TSMC’s 2nm test production yield exceeded 60%, making mass production feasible next year. The current progress of the 2nm process technology suggests that mass production will proceed as planned in 2025.
Being the world’s leading contract chip manufacturing company, TSMC is solidifying its dominance. It continues to expand its global market share, outpacing Samsung Foundry while making steady progress in advanced processes.
The Chairman of Taiwan’s TSMC recently stated that the customer demand for 2nm products is higher than for 3nm. The industry consensus is that TSMC will continue to lead in cutting-edge processes for the time being.
TrendForce recently reported that TSMC generated $23.527 billion in foundry market revenue in the third quarter of this year, marking a 13% increase from the previous quarter.
The company’s market share reached 64.9%, maintaining its first-place position and improving from the previous quarter’s 62.3%, with the gap with Samsung Foundry continuing to widen.