Samsung Foldables: Europe could receive weaker chips again

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 may see a U-turn in the chip strategy. Current rumors point to a return to the two-pronged equipment strategy with Exynos for Europe and Snapdragon for the USA and other regions.

New chip course for Flip 8

While the first renders of the Galaxy S26 FE have appeared, the release of Samsung’s new foldables is also getting closer and closer. There have already been leaks with technical data for the Z Fold 8, which could be called Z Fold Wide in the future. Now the Z Flip 8 can also be heard. Samsung is reportedly planning a return to a split processor strategy for its clamshell smartphone. Buyers in Europe will have to prepare for the in-house Exynos 2600, while the American market will probably be served with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 from Qualcomm. The move would end a year-long experiment. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 was released worldwide for the first time with an Exynos processor, after all previous foldable smartphones in the Flip and Fold series from Samsung were exclusively equipped with Snapdragon chips.

Costs drive the decision

Like the leaker Lanzuk (via 9to5Google) reports that financial considerations are the main reason for the renewed rethink. The production of the Exynos 2600, which is manufactured using the new two-nanometer process, is simply too expensive. At the same time, Qualcomm offered the Koreans a very advantageous price for its Snapdragon SoCs. Samsung manufactures the Exynos 2600 in its own factories. The yield of defect-free chips per wafer is often initially low in new manufacturing processes. This increases unit costs and forces the manufacturer to make strategic adjustments. The jump to smaller structure widths also drives up expenses enormously.

Impact on buyers

The approach has advantages and disadvantages for end users. In initial internal tests, the Exynos 2600 showed significantly improved heat generation and higher efficiency. Nevertheless, for historical reasons, the in-house series suffers from a mixed reputation in direct comparison to the competition from Qualcomm. Many customers prefer the Snapdragon due to its stable performance. In the past, users of older Exynos models often complained about shorter battery life and reduced performance under high load. A two-pronged configuration also makes it difficult to compare the devices across national borders. Customers receive different hardware depending on where they live.

Gentle hardware update expected

In addition to the changed interior, industry observers expect a moderate hardware update for the Galaxy Z Flip 8. The phone is said to be thinner when closed thanks to a completely redesigned hinge. However, the almost seven-inch main screen and the four-inch external display are expected to remain unchanged, as will the built-in camera systems. It is currently unclear whether the foldable smartphone will maintain the price level of its predecessor due to the cheaper purchase of the processors. However, the trend in the industry is towards rising prices. The official presentation is currently expected along with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Watch 9 on July 22, 2026.