Rumors persist regarding the potential dual-sourcing of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 processor, which is anticipated for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series. According to a prominent leaker, Digital Chat Station on Weibo, a Samsung-manufactured version of the chip, referred to as SM8850s, remains in development due to its lower cost, despite the standard TSMC-made version being designated SM8850.
The leaker claims the Samsung-produced chip would be more economical than its TSMC counterpart. This cost advantage could enable Samsung to maintain current pricing for the Galaxy S26 series, a strategy that might also benefit base flagships from other manufacturers like Xiaomi and Honor, allowing them to freeze prices or allocate resources to other improvements.
Historically, Samsung’s chip manufacturing has lagged behind TSMC in terms of performance and efficiency. This suggests that a TSMC-made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 might offer superior performance and battery life compared to a Samsung-made version. However, there is a possibility that Samsung’s manufacturing capabilities have improved to the point where its chip could be comparable to TSMC’s.
Adding to the complexity, Samsung is reportedly planning to integrate its in-house Exynos 2600 chip into certain Galaxy S26 models. This indicates that the final chip strategy for the Galaxy S26 series is not yet solidified, with potential for a mix of TSMC-made Snapdragon, Samsung-made Snapdragon, and Samsung’s own Exynos processors across different variants.
