Qualcomm’s direction in mobile processor production has been carefully monitored in recent years. A new page opens in this process with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Galaxy version. While it is known that the company has been working with TSMC for a long time, recent developments may change this balance. New claims show that Samsung will implement this special version with its own 2nm production process.
In the past, there were serious problems in the production process of Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. At that time, Samsung’s low production efficiency led Qualcomm to TSMC. With Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, this transition became official, and the production burden was given to TSMC in the last two generations. However, recent information suggests that this picture may now change. Qualcomm’s decision to give the production responsibility of its Galaxy series-specific processor back to Samsung takes the direction of the process to a different point. At this point, it is not just the manufacturer’s choice that is important; as well as the architectural and technological infrastructure used.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Galaxy version will be produced with Samsung’s 2nm process
Reports in the Korean press suggest that Samsung will produce this new generation chip with the 2nm GAA process. Instead of TSMC’s FinFET-based 3nm process, Samsung’s GAA architecture will be preferred. This will directly affect not only production technology but also performance and energy efficiency. Because, thanks to the GAA architecture, power consumption can be reduced while transistor density increases. Moreover, this production process is one of the areas where Samsung is assertive. Although the problems experienced in the past remain fresh in memories, this time the situation may be different.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 was introduced by Qualcomm in September 2025. The main version was produced with TSMC’s 3nm process and technically meets the standards in this respect. However, the fact that the Galaxy version will be produced by Samsung means that two different chip versions will be in the same series. This kind of distinction was also seen in previous Galaxy S models. By the way, not only the clock speeds but also the basic architectural differences that come with the production process are remarkable. In this way, it becomes possible for the Galaxy version to stand out in some areas.
Although it is thought that the new chip will be used directly in the Galaxy S26 series, the latest information paints a different picture. It is claimed that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 for Galaxy chip will be used in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 models that will be released in the summer of 2026. In this case, the possibility of the Galaxy S26 being released with Exynos 2600 becomes stronger. The fact that both chips were included in different models in the same period shows that Samsung will continue its dual-chip strategy. In addition to all these, the transfer of production to Samsung will directly affect the hardware-software integration. This stands out as an important element that shapes the user experience.
Samsung’s 2nm GAA process is a technology that it has been working on for a while. This architecture aims to offer higher performance and lower energy consumption compared to previous generations. However, the extent to which these advantages will be reflected in the real world is directly related to the success in mass production. Despite all this, Qualcomm’s choice of Samsung again may indicate that confidence in the production infrastructure has increased. On the other hand, TSMC’s consistent success in production still cannot be ignored. This clearly reveals that the competition between the two companies remains vibrant.
Samsung’s production problems in the past have caused serious criticism. However, the company has made significant improvements to its production line in the last two years. The 2nm GAA process is considered as a result of these improvements. Increasing production efficiency in this process may have been decisive in choosing Samsung again. In addition, it is noteworthy that Qualcomm needs more flexibility in its long-term plans. Because depending on a single manufacturer poses risks for the supply chain.
Samsung’s undertaking of this production is seen not only as a technical development but also as a commercial maneuver. As competition increases in the foldable phone market, maintaining control in production becomes critical. Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 for Galaxy creates significant expectations not only in terms of performance but also energy efficiency. Manufacturing this chip with the 2nm process may provide advantages, especially in terms of thermal management. This can directly affect the battery life and usage time of foldable devices. Users’ real-life experiences will be one of the key factors that will determine the success of this chip.