CITY, July 5, 2025
Samsung’s 2nm Snapdragon dream fades.
Cutting-edge chip may not see the light of day.
Hopes dashed for a Samsung-made 2nm Snapdragon chip.
- Qualcomm has reportedly canceled Samsung’s plan to manufacture a 2nm version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip.
- The canceled 2nm variant was rumored to outperform the 3nm version.
- Android flagships in late 2025 will likely use the TSMC-produced 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2.
- The price for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 prototype has increased to $15,000.
- Specifications for the Snapdragon 8s Gen 5 are reportedly under review.
What happened to Samsung’s 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip? Qualcomm has reportedly canceled Samsung’s manufacturing plan, meaning that most Android flagship phones will likely rely on the TSMC-produced 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, starting in late 2025.
The smartphone world is always buzzing about the newest, fastest chips. A recent rumor suggested that Samsung might produce a 2nm version of Qualcomm’s upcoming flagship chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. This souped-up version would, supposedly, be even more advanced than the 3nm variant heading for most Android flagships, and possibly powering some regional versions of Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series.
Qualcomm Pulls the Plug on Samsung’s 2nm Snapdragon?
However, those plans might have hit a wall. According to a report from tipster @Jukanlosreve on X/Twitter, Qualcomm has canceled Samsung’s manufacturing plan for the 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip. The cancellation indicates that this variant is now missing from current specifications.
Previously, Qualcomm’s internal data for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (SM8850) SoC listed two versions based on who made them: a 3nm version from TSMC (labeled 8850-T) and a 2nm version from Samsung (labeled 8850-S). That distinction is now gone, leaving only the base SM8850 model, thought to be the 3nm chip from TSMC.
Did you know? Nanometers (nm) refer to the size of transistors on a chip. Smaller transistors generally mean faster, more efficient performance.
Android Flagships Set to Rely on TSMC’s 3nm Chip
This means that, for now, most Android flagship phones will likely use the TSMC-produced 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, beginning in late 2025. The exact reasons for Qualcomm’s change of heart are unknown. For now, any explanation is only speculation.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 5 Specs Under Review; Prototype Price Hike
There’s more chip news. The price for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (SM8850) prototype has jumped. It now costs $15,000 for companies wanting to get their hands on it. The specifications for a future chip, model number SM8845 (potentially the Snapdragon 8s Gen 5), are also being “reorganized.” Further details are scarce, but this will be Qualcomm’s next-gen affordable flagship SoC.
A 2nm chip from Samsung for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 would have been exciting. Sadly, it seems things didn’t work out. For now, the 3nm variant from TSMC is the standard for the next generation of Android devices.
