Again in June, we advised you to anticipate a value hike for the Galaxy S25 sequence early subsequent yr. At the moment, dependable TF Worldwide analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated {that a} 25% to 30% value hike for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 software processor (AP) might result in the same value hike for Samsung’s flagship telephone sequence for 2025. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 AP is priced between $190-$$200 and after Kuo’s predicted value hike the chipset might carry a price ticket between $237.50 and $260.
Talking of Kuo, who is thought extra for his predictions associated to Apple, Samsung Foundry’s low-yield manufacturing on the 3nm node is a part of the rationale why we might see a 30% value hike for the Galaxy S25 sequence in 2025. Samsung might proceed to make use of the identical technique of equipping the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ with an Exynos chipset, on this case, the Exynos 2500 SoC, in all markets apart from the U.S., Canada, and China. In these international locations, the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ will sport the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 as will all Galaxy S25 Extremely models in each market.
In that state of affairs, the 30% value hike for the Galaxy 8 Gen 4 AP performs an vital however restricted position. However what would occur if Samsung determined to get rid of the Exynos 2500 SoC, and all Galaxy S25 sequence fashions had been powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 AP no matter market? You possibly can think about how a lot a 30% value hike for the chipset would possibly impression pricing of the flagship line in that state of affairs. However that will not occur, will it?
Kuo now says it’d. Stating that this would be the first yr that the Exynos software processor will likely be produced utilizing Samsung Foundry’s 3nm course of node, there’s a good likelihood that Samsung Foundry’s poor yields at that node will imply that there won’t be sufficient Exynos 2500 APs produced to fulfill Samsung’s calls for, Consequently, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC would possibly have to be employed on each Galaxy S25 sequence unit.
If that is so, Samsung would have three choices to select from with regards to Galaxy S25 pricing. Samsung might elevate the value of the telephones by the quantity of the chipset hike, say 30%, and have the general public eat the elevated price of the element. It might maintain costs regular and Samsung would pay for the upper chip costs. Or it might elevate the value lower than the chip value hike and cut up the upper price of the element between prospects and the corporate.
Again in June, we puzzled whether or not Samsung Foundry might get its yield up in time for 3nm manufacturing of the decacore Exynos 2500 which might happen in the course of the fourth quarter. Through the first quarter of this yr, Samsung Foundry had a single-digit yield for 3nm manufacturing. That rose to twenty% throughout Q2. 60% is required for mass manufacturing to happen. The strain is on Samsung Foundry if Samsung does not need to be pressured to lift the value of the Galaxy S25 sequence by as a lot as 30%.
