Samsung may sacrifice performance for price in foldable phones
Samsung’s cost-cutting measures are taking a surprising turn, potentially impacting the performance of its future foldable devices. While the company has long alternated between Exynos and Snapdragon processors across its Galaxy lineup, a new strategy hints at a more pronounced division – and a potential trade-off for consumers.
Exynos returns to foldables: a cost-saving move
According to reports from The Bell, Samsung is likely to equip the Galaxy Z Flip 8 with its own Exynos 2600 chipset, particularly in regions like South Korea and Europe. This echoes the dual-chip strategy recently adopted for the Galaxy S26 series, where North America, China, and Japan received the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the rest of the world got the Exynos 2600. But this isn't just about regional preferences; it's about the bottom line.
The shift is driven by the ongoing semiconductor price surge, dubbed “RAMageddon,” which has significantly increased the cost of RAM and storage. The Exynos 2600 reportedly carries a lower price tag than the Snapdragon equivalent, a compelling factor for Samsung as it navigates these market pressures. It's a pragmatic decision, albeit one that raises questions about the user experience.
Interestingly, this dual-chip approach isn't expected to extend to the larger Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra. The logic here is clear: Samsung’s flip phones prioritize portability and design over raw processing power. This allows them to shave costs without alienating the target demographic – users who value sleek aesthetics and compact form factors over uncompromising performance.
What’s next? Samsung reportedly plans to expand the use of Exynos chips to other products next year. This could mean that even the Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus might see versions powered by Exynos, potentially skipping the latest Snapdragon flagship altogether. While the Galaxy S27 Ultra and Z Fold 9 are still likely to receive the top-tier Snapdragon chips, the possibility of an Exynos-powered flagship is no longer entirely off the table.
The fate of Samsung's high-end devices may well rest on the shoulders of the upcoming Exynos 2700 chipset. Early benchmarks have shown promise, and if Samsung can deliver a genuinely competitive chip, it could justify a wider adoption across its product range. My colleague Peter's review of the Exynos-powered Galaxy S26 Plus demonstrated perfectly adequate performance, outperforming even the iPhone 17 Pro in multi-core tests.
Ultimately, if using Exynos chips allows Samsung to maintain competitive pricing on its Galaxy phones, it’s a gamble I’m willing to see them take. However, the Ultra models, representing the pinnacle of Samsung’s innovation, should always get the best silicon available, regardless of the cost. The consumer deserves nothing less.