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Samsung-Made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 May Debut in Galaxy S26 Ultra
A major new leak suggests that Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra could be equipped with a Samsung-manufactured variant of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, signaling a strategic shift in the chip selection for Samsung’s 2026 flagship smartphones.
Fresh Insights into Samsung’s 2nm Chipset Plans
On July 23, renowned tech informant Digital Chat Station revealed on Weibo that the SM8850s — the special Samsung Foundry version of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 — is still in the running for the Galaxy S26 lineup. This development comes after earlier rumors indicated that the chip had been sidelined due to low yield rates associated with Samsung’s advanced 2nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) semiconductor process. Despite these challenges, the latest intelligence claims Samsung is actively optimizing its 2nm production efficiency, aiming for higher yields well before the anticipated Q1 2026 launch window.
Cost Advantages and Pricing Implications
The Samsung-fabricated Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 reportedly benefits from lower production costs compared to its counterparts, which could enable Samsung to keep flagship prices consistent. This is especially relevant for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, expected to maintain a launch price near the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s $1,219 mark. Competitive pricing could further strengthen Samsung’s position in the premium smartphone market segment.
Branding Uncertainty and Global Market Impacts
It remains to be seen if the Samsung-made chip will retain the familiar “Snapdragon for Galaxy” branding. If Chinese smartphone manufacturers opt for this cost-effective chip in their flagship models, Samsung might forgo exclusive branding to maintain fairness among global partners. Unlike past transitions with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 888, in 2026, Chinese brands will also have the choice of the higher-priced TSMC-fabricated variant, prioritizing maximum performance and energy efficiency.
How the Galaxy S26 Lineup Compares
For this generation, Samsung is expected to offer a tiered chip strategy: the Galaxy S26 base models will likely feature the Exynos 2600 — also engineered on Samsung’s 2nm process — while the S26 Ultra could harness the Samsung-made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. Meanwhile, Chinese smartphone makers are poised to use the TSMC-built version. This echoes Samsung’s approach with the Galaxy S22 series, where users globally received either Snapdragon or Exynos-powered devices that delivered similar levels of speed and efficiency.
What This Means for Tech Enthusiasts and Professionals
The potential inclusion of a Samsung-made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 highlights the ongoing innovation in semiconductor manufacturing and the fierce competition between chip foundries. Users can expect cutting-edge performance, improved power efficiency, and appealing device pricing as key benefits of this strategy.
Stay tuned for further updates as Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy S26 series shapes up ahead of its expected debut in early 2026.
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