According to Wccftech, a report from The Bell states Samsung’s MX and LSI divisions are in talks to equip the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 8 with the new Exynos 2600 chipset, which is built on Samsung’s first-generation 2nm GAA process. The phone is slated for release next summer. This comes after reports from September that Samsung had begun mass production of the Exynos 2600 with yields around 50%, with a target of reaching 70% for economic viability. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, launching alongside the Flip, is still expected to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which is estimated to cost a hefty $280 per unit. Using the in-house Exynos chip in the lower-priced Flip model is seen as a crucial cost-saving strategy for Samsung.
The Cost Crunch Is Real
Here’s the thing: paying nearly $300 for just the processor in a phone that needs to be competitively priced is a tough business. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 will undoubtedly cost less than the Fold, so margins are already tighter. Throwing a $280 Snapdragon into the mix just doesn’t add up. So the Exynos 2600 isn’t just a tech showcase—it’s a financial necessity. Samsung needs a viable, performant alternative to Qualcomm’s premium pricing, and their own silicon is the only real answer. It’s a high-stakes game of chip economics.
A Test Bed For 2nm
But this isn’t just about saving money on one phone model. Using the Exynos 2600 in a high-profile device like the Z Flip 8 is a massive vote of confidence in Samsung’s 2nm GAA process. Think of it as the ultimate field test. If the chip performs well—offering solid performance and, crucially, good efficiency—it proves the process is stable and ready for prime time. That’s the kind of real-world data that potential foundry customers want to see before they commit their own designs. It’s marketing by demonstration.
The Bigger Picture For Samsung Foundry
And that’s the real endgame here. Samsung isn’t just building chips for its own phones; it’s trying to win business from the likes of Apple, Google, and others in the brutal foundry war against TSMC. A successful launch in the Z Flip 8, followed by the Galaxy S26 and S26+, would be a powerful narrative. It shows progress. It shows yield improvement from that initial 50%. For companies looking to diversify their manufacturing or push the envelope on advanced nodes, having a strong second source is invaluable. This is about proving Samsung Foundry is back in the game.
A Gamble With Potential Payoff
So, is this a sure bet? Not at all. The Exynos brand has a… complicated history with consumers, especially regarding performance and efficiency compared to Snapdragon. Samsung is basically betting its flagship foldable experience on a brand-new architecture and a brand-new process node. That’s risky. But the potential payoff is huge: lower costs, greater control over the supply chain, and a powerful showcase for their most advanced manufacturing tech. If they pull it off, it changes the calculus for the entire mobile division. If they don’t? Well, let’s just say the reviews will be very interesting to read.
