Samsung's upcoming Exynos 2500 processor is showing promising performance in early benchmarks, but production challenges may prevent it from powering the Galaxy S25 series as originally planned.
Recent Geekbench results reveal some impressive specs for the Exynos 2500:
- 10-core CPU architecture
- 3x Cortex-X925 prime cores @ 2.59GHz
- 5x Cortex-A725 performance cores @ 2.25GHz
- 2x Cortex-A520 efficiency cores @ 1.75GHz
- Upgraded Xclipse 950 GPU with additional cores
In OpenCL graphics tests, the Exynos 2500 scored 15,960 points - outperforming the Exynos 2400 in the Galaxy S24 Ultra which scored 14,661. However, it's important to note this benchmark was likely run on a reference design, not a final device.
While the performance looks promising, Samsung is reportedly struggling with production yields for the 3nm Exynos 2500. The company may not be able to manufacture sufficient quantities at the desired quality level in time for Galaxy S25 mass production.
As a result, Samsung is considering alternative options:
- Using Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip, despite its high cost (potentially 1/3 of the device's production cost)
- Delaying Exynos 2500 integration until H1 2025, possibly for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and S25 FE
- Exploring MediaTek's Dimensity 9400, though this option seems less likely now
The final decision on which processor will power the Galaxy S25 series is expected in the coming weeks. Samsung is eager to reduce its reliance on expensive Snapdragon chips, as its processor costs have ballooned from $5.7 billion in 2021 to $8.7 billion in 2023.
For now, the Exynos 2500 remains a work in progress. While its performance is encouraging, Samsung must overcome significant production hurdles before it can compete with Qualcomm in its flagship devices.