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Rumor: Samsung to develop Galaxy S27’s 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite 3 prototype
Wild rumor suggests Samsung could develop a Snapdragon 8 Elite 3 prototype at Qualcomm’s request. The company’s Foundry Division failed to secure chip the next Snapdragon chip’s manufacturing contract from Qualcomm.
TSMC is set to produce Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for Qualcomm. The Snapdragon 8s Elite, coming early next year, would also be produced using TSMC’s process node.
Samsung failed to win orders for Snapdragon for the fourth time in a row. However, a piece of good news is that Qualcomm requested Samsung to develop a future product prototype.
TheBell’s latest report reveals that Qualcomm has requested Samsung to develop a prototype for the Snapdragon 8 Elite 3 (third-gen of Elite), which could launch in the second half of 2026.
The US chip designer is aiming to manufacture its third-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite product on the cutting edge 2nm process and it will determine the fate of Samsung Foundry’s business.
It is reported that the Korean tech giant is planning to commercialize its 2-nanometer process starting late next year. The Taylor facility will be centered around the 2nm line and it’s expected to start operations as early as 2026.
Samsung will launch the Galaxy S25 series with Snapdragon 8 Elite in January next year. The Galaxy S26 (with Snapdragon 8 Elite 2) may have a similar unveiling in 2026, followed by the Galaxy S27 (with Snapdragon 8 Elite 3) in 2027.
The US govt has recently finalized CHIPS and Science Act subsidies for Samsung. The company’s investment solely relies on attracting consumers on US soil. Hence, Qualcomm may end up inking a deal with Samsung in the near future.
