With the Qualcomm Summit coming closer and YouTube hype for the new Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 on the rise, it looks like the company has taken a huge decision. Rumors suggested that Qualcomm was trying to work with Samsung and TSMC at the same time for this powerful chipset. This could have resulted in two different variants in the market: one built on TSMC’s 3nm process, and a more advanced 2nm version manufactured by Samsung. The 2nm chip was also supposed to debut on select Galaxy S26 models. But now, that plan appears to be cancelled.
According to prominent leaker Jukan Choi, Qualcomm has officially cancelled the 2nm Samsung-manufactured version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. This variant was internally labeled as SM8850-S. The decision clearly shows that Qualcomm is not yet ready to risk it with Samsung, especially after previous issues with the Snapdragon 888 and 8 Gen 1, where Qualcomm faced multiple heating and throttling problems.
As of the writing date, Qualcomm has already removed the distinguishing identifiers for 8850-S and 8850-T. The Samsung version has now been completely removed from the current specifications, and it appears the Samsung version has been provisionally discontinued for the time… https://t.co/Ye033GyH1U pic.twitter.com/MMEFNz1032
– Jukan Choi (@jukanlosreve) July 4, 2025
This is also a big blow to Samsung Foundry, which had been betting big on its 2nm node to challenge TSMC’s dominance. Samsung Foundry was hoping that their 2nm chip could re-establish their dominance in the premium silicon space and give them a boost. Instead, all major Android flagships launching in late 2025 and early 2026 are most likely to run on TSMC-built 3nm chips.
While Qualcomm hasn’t provided an official explanation, most speculation points toward yield or production challenges, as well as power efficiency or thermal issues. The 2nm node might also not be stable enough for consumer use just yet, which could be another reason Qualcomm opted out of the deal. Plus, Qualcomm might also want to strategically align their new chip and avoid confusing customers with two different variants of the same chipset.
In related news, Qualcomm is also reportedly reworking the SM8845, a chip expected to launch as the Snapdragon 8s Gen 5. This variant will target upper-mid-range phones, offering near-flagship performance at a more affordable price point, likely in devices priced between Rs 40,000 and Rs 60,000.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 saga has taken a surprising turn. With Samsung now excluded from manufacturing Qualcomm’s most powerful chip yet, it seems we might still be a little far from seeing 2nm chipsets in action.
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