Samsung appears to be making some significant decisions regarding its upcoming clamshell foldable phone, balancing cost considerations against performance potential. The tech giant is reportedly preparing for a July launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 with some interesting component and software choices that could impact the device's market reception.
Samsung Chooses Exynos 2500 Over Snapdragon for Cost Savings
Samsung has reportedly made the decision to equip the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7 with its in-house Exynos 2500 processor instead of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite. According to industry sources, this choice was primarily motivated by pricing differences between the two chipsets, with Samsung opting to prioritize cost savings over potentially superior performance. This comes despite the Galaxy Z Flip 7 having reportedly passed all internal tests with the Snapdragon chip, suggesting Samsung had initially considered using Qualcomm's solution before changing course.
Production Challenges Due to Low Yields
The decision to use the Exynos 2500 comes with significant manufacturing challenges. Current reports indicate the yields for the chip are alarmingly low, ranging between just 20 and 40 percent. This is well below Samsung's typical production threshold of 60 percent yield, which is considered the minimum for cost-effective manufacturing. Despite these difficulties, Samsung appears committed to an initial production run of approximately 200,000 Galaxy Z Flip 7 units by June, with the possibility of increasing production depending on yield improvements and consumer demand.
Exynos 2500 Production Challenges
- Current Yield Rate: 20-40%
- Samsung's Typical Production Threshold: 60% yield
- Manufacturing Process: 3nm Gate-All-Around (GAA)
3nm GAA Technology Struggles
Samsung's 3nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) manufacturing process has been problematic for the company, with the Exynos 2500 potentially being the only chip to utilize this next-generation node. The challenges with this manufacturing technology likely explain the low yields, but Samsung may view the Galaxy Z Flip 7 launch as an opportunity to gain valuable experience with the process. This experience could prove beneficial for future development, particularly as the company looks toward its 2nm GAA technology, which currently has yields reported at around 30 percent and is scheduled for full-scale production in the second half of 2025.
One UI 8 Improvements for Flip Devices
On the software front, Samsung appears to be working on One UI 8, which may debut with the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Recent leaks suggest that the new Android 16-based skin will include several improvements, particularly for flip-style foldable phones. One notable enhancement is the optimization of the Now Bar feature for the cover screen of flip devices. Currently, on models like the Galaxy Z Flip 6, the Now Bar is only available on the inner display, failing to leverage the quick-glance functionality that would be ideal for the outer screen. One UI 8 looks to address this oversight by bringing the feature to the cover display.
Additional Software Refinements
Beyond the Now Bar improvements, One UI 8 is also reportedly refining animation behaviors. For example, when closing multiple apps in quick succession, One UI 7 currently stops the previous app's closing animation when a new one begins. The upcoming version appears to handle these transitions more smoothly, allowing animations to complete naturally. While this might seem like a minor change, such refinements contribute to a more polished user experience.
Expected Hardware Improvements
Alongside the processor change and software updates, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is rumored to feature a slightly larger cover display compared to its predecessor. Battery capacity is also expected to increase, though charging speeds will likely remain unchanged. The overall design is anticipated to be similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 6, suggesting Samsung is focusing on internal improvements rather than a radical redesign for this generation.
Galaxy Z Flip 7 Specifications (Rumored)
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 2500 (3nm GAA)
- Launch Date: July 2025
- Initial Production: ~200,000 units
- Software: Possibly One UI 8 (Android 16-based)
- Features: Larger cover display, increased battery capacity
- New Software Feature: Now Bar on cover screen
Launch Timeline
Samsung is expected to unveil both the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 at an Unpacked event in early July 2025. While the Z Flip 7 will reportedly use the Exynos 2500, its larger sibling, the Z Fold 7, is expected to retain the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. This differentiation in chipset selection between the two foldable models highlights Samsung's strategic approach to component choices based on device positioning and cost considerations.