The Galaxy S24 is expected to launch earlier to tackle the increased demand for the Apple iPhone 15. Samsung's next-generation Galaxy S series phones could be launched in January 2024, and several rumors have indicated that the company could dual-source chips (Exynos and Snapdragon) for the Galaxy S24 lineup. Now, a new rumor claims something wild about the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.
According to a report from Gamma0Burst, Qualcomm could be working on two versions of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The first is the 4nm version based on TSMC's N4P process node, while the latter could be fabricated using TSMC's 3nm N3E process node. Most of this information seems to come from LinkedIn profiles and pages related to Qualcomm employees. Samsung has never introduced the same chip using two different class nodes. Last year, Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which was made using Samsung Foundry's 4nm process, while the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 was launched in the second half of the year and used TSMC's 4nm process.
Is it possible that Qualcomm will launch the 3nm version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (For Galaxy version) exclusive for Samsung's high-end smartphones, specifically for the Galaxy S24 lineup? Well, it doesn't seem likely to us, given the company's track record. Yes, the company launched an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for the Galaxy S23 series, but using a completely different process node for the same chipset seems unlikely to us.
The report also claims that Qualcomm could bring Cortex-X4 and Cortex-A720 CPU cores to its Snapdragon 7 series of chips. The report further claims that Qualcomm is also reviewing Samsung Foundry's SF3P (3rd Gen 3nm) and SF2P (3rd Gen 2nm) process nodes. Qualcomm will reportedly use Samsung Foundry's 2nm (SF2P) to launch a flagship processor in 2027, while Samsung could launch its in-house Exynos chip with the 2nm (SF2) process in 2026.
Whether or not these claims turn out to be true remains to be seen. However, the big question for Samsung is whether its next Exynos processor, the Exynos 2400, could exceed the performance and power efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and match the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. If it fails to be on par with the competing Snapdragon chip once again, it would be extremely hard for the company to have a positive reputation among consumers.
