A new rumor from South Korea suggests a major shift for Samsung‘s upcoming flagship line. The Galaxy S25, expected in January 2025, might move away from its usual strategy of using only Qualcomm Snapdragon and Samsung Exynos processors.
Instead, the S25 could also utilize MediaTek’s Dimensity chips, specifically the Dimensity 9400, alongside the traditional options. It would be a significant change, if and only if this pans out, equipping the Galaxy S25 with three different SoCs.
However, it’s important to note that this is purely speculative. The rumor suggests that Samsung is considering this change, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
The reasons behind choosing MediaTek is because of rising costs for Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and production issues with Samsung’s Exynos 2500.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 reportedly costs around $190-200 per unit, with the 8 Gen 4 reaching $260. This significant price increase could strain Samsung’s margins.
Additionally, the Exynos 2500 is said to be facing production challenges, currently achieving only a 40% yield rate. Mass production typically requires a 60% yield, and while Samsung aims to improve this by August, there is still uncertainty.
Given these factors, MediaTek does seem like an attractive option for Samsung. Especially considering that Dimensity chips are known for being more affordable than their Snapdragon counterparts.
Moreover, the upcoming Dimensity 9400 is rumored to use the same 3nm N3E manufacturing process as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, possibly offering similar performance.
Another aspect to consider is negotiation leverage. By introducing MediaTek as a viable alternative, Samsung could pressure Qualcomm to offer more competitive pricing for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.
Ultimately, the Galaxy S25’s processor situation remains unclear. While the inclusion of MediaTek is an intriguing possibility, it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions.
