Samsung asks TSMC to manufacture Exynos, gets rejected

1comment
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 on a desk
Samsung Foundry had a year full of ups and downs during 2024 and because of this the company had to abandon Exynos on Galaxy S25. There were rumors that Samsung had been holding internal talks about outsourcing Exynos production to TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) for the time being. Apparently not only did this happen but TSMC has actually rejected the offer.


As of now there aren’t many details available on why TSMC rejected the Exynos deal. I would’ve thought this would be an excellent opportunity for TSMC to gain some more clout in the industry. Insider Jukanlosreve reckons TSMC might have rejected Samsung’s proposition because the company wants to protect its internal workings from a rival company.

For now all three Galaxy S25 phones will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. If Samsung has to use the 8 Elite Gen 2 next year then it will be forced to make its phones more expensive because Qualcomm is reportedly planning a significant price hike.

Save up to $1,200 on the Galaxy S25 Ultra!

$219 99
$1419 99
$1200 off (85%)
Get the mighty Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for up to $1,200 off at the Samsung Store! Eligible device trade-ins help you save up to $900. You can also score up to $300 in instant Samsung credit. You can use part of the amount toward a free storage upgrade, while the rest can be spent on an accessory or another Galaxy device.
Buy at Samsung

Galaxy S25 Plus: Save up to $800 with a trade-in!

$299 99
$999 99
$700 off (70%)
Trade in your old phone to save up to $700 on the exciting Galaxy S25 Plus. In addition, Samsung is offering $100 in instant Samsung Credit, but only on the 512GB model. The instant credit is applied as a $100 discount on the handset.
Buy at Samsung

During 2024 a big issue that Samsung Foundry faced was poor yield rates for 3 nm chip production. The company recently revealed that its 3 nm process has finally been stabilized. While its latest chipset missed out on debuting on the Galaxy S25 lineup it’s believed that this Exynos 2500 will now power upcoming Z series phones.

Video Thumbnail
The Z series phones have seen less than stellar sales. | Video credit — Samsung

Samsung Foundry is still working on its plans for 2 nm and even 1.4 nm chips. The Exynos deal with TSMC was likely a short-term solution until the foundry’s own manufacturing processes were perfected. Though TSMC’s rejection will set Samsung back a few steps it won’t stop the company from implementing Exynos in its phones altogether.

Much like Apple silicon, Galaxy phones powered by Samsung’s own in-house Exynos chips could surpass the competition handsomely if said chipsets are properly optimized. The Galaxy phones are already some of the best phones in the world and TSMC’s rejection isn’t going to change that.
Create a free account and join our vibrant community
Register to enjoy the full PhoneArena experience. Here’s what you get with your PhoneArena account:
  • Access members-only articles
  • Join community discussions
  • Share your own device reviews
  • Build your personal phone library
Register For Free

Recommended Stories

Loading Comments...
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless