Qualcomm could develop two Snapdragon 8 Elite versions: one by TSMC (3nm) and another by Samsung Foundry (2nm).
Samsung's 2nm process is reportedly achieving a 40% yield, with improvements expected before full-scale production.
The custom chip may give Galaxy S26 phones unique performance advantages and reinforce Samsung's position in semiconductor manufacturing.
Samsung Galaxy S26 launch is still months away and we are already getting to see some interesting things. As per the reports, Samsung may be preparing for a different shift in its chipset strategy and we could see a massive improvement. The Korea’s Business Post in its report stated that Qualcomm may develop a special variant of its Snapdragon 8 Elite processor via Samsung’s 2nm fabrication process, a departure from the current standard of using Taiwan’s TSMC for its high-end chip production.
SurveyThe report further continued that Qualcomm is reportedly working on two different versions of the Snapdragon 8 Elite successor. Out of which, the primary variant will be built on TSMC’s 3nm process and supplied to most smartphone makers and the second version will be developed using Samsung Foundry’s 2nm node and could be a part of the Galaxy S26 lineup.
If true, this will be a potential comeback for Samsung’s semiconductor division, which has struggled with low 3nm production yields and recently lost high-profile clients like Google to TSMC. The report added that Samsung’s 2nm process is currently achieving a yield rate of around 40%, with improvements expected before mass production. Qualcomm is said to still be evaluating the chip’s performance and reliability before finalizing its dual-sourcing plan.
Also read: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra launched with Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset: Check price, specs
This would also be beneficial for Samsung to establish itself as a top-tier chipmaker while giving its Galaxy S26 devices a unique hardware distinction with a customised Snapdragon chip designed specifically for Samsung phones.
While it’s too early to say anything about the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26, reports have claimed that the devices have been spotted for certifications. If Samsung follows its own track record, it can introduce the upcoming flagship series in early 2026.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
