Samsung’s ambitions for its flagship chipset, the Exynos 2500, to rival the Snapdragon 8 Elite have faced significant hurdles due to ongoing yield struggles with its first and second-generation 3nm GAA process. These challenges have made mass production of the Exynos 2500 unfeasible for now.
Despite these setbacks, Samsung continues to test the chipset across various Galaxy S25 models, including the latest Galaxy S25+ prototype, which has recently appeared in a benchmarking database.
Exynos 2500 Performance Issues
The Exynos 2500’s performance in single-core and multi-core tests has been underwhelming, especially when compared to its primary competitor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite. According to a Geekbench 6 listing spotted by tipster Jukanlosreve, the Exynos 2500 was tested in the Galaxy S25+, and the results indicate a significant performance gap between the two chips.
The Exynos 2500 features a 10-core CPU, with the fastest core clocked at 3.30GHz. This configuration remains similar to the Exynos 2400, but the updated 3nm GAA technology was expected to offer better efficiency, assuming Samsung could overcome the yield challenges.
However, the Exynos 2500 lags behind competitors in performance, with single-core results showing it is 37% slower than the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and 29% slower in multi-core performance. These results are particularly concerning since the Exynos 2500 fails to compete with leading processors like the A18 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Elite, even though it is faster than Google’s Tensor G4 chipset.
Galaxy S25+ Prototype Specifications
The Galaxy S25+ prototype featuring the Exynos 2500 is equipped with 12GB of RAM and is running on Android 15, which should provide an excellent foundation for performance. However, with benchmark scores that fall significantly short of competitors, the Exynos 2500 may struggle to live up to expectations in real-world usage.
Why Samsung May Abandon the Exynos 2500
Even if Samsung manages to improve its yields and mass-produce the Exynos 2500, these disappointing benchmark results could anger customers, especially those who expected the Snapdragon 8 Elite in their devices. In this scenario, Samsung may be left with no option but to abandon the Exynos 2500 for the Dimensity 9400 or other alternatives. However, using the Dimensity chipset could alienate consumers further, as it would likely spark dissatisfaction with the lack of Snapdragon power in flagship devices.
Ultimately, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite remains the go-to chipset for Samsung’s premium smartphones, with the likelihood of a Snapdragon 8 Elite-only launch growing as Samsung faces continued setbacks with its own silicon. Given these performance struggles, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 series may rely solely on Qualcomm’s superior chipsets to deliver the high-end performance customers expect.
A Tough Road Ahead for the Exynos 2500
With yield issues and performance shortcomings, the Exynos 2500 faces an uphill battle in Samsung’s flagship lineup. Despite testing in prototypes like the Galaxy S25+, the chip is unlikely to rival Snapdragon 8 Elite in performance.
Samsung may need to reconsider its strategy or turn to alternative solutions if it hopes to compete in the high-performance smartphone market. For now, it appears that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite will remain the dominant choice for flagship smartphones, including those in the Galaxy S25 series.
