Samsung has made a strategic decision about the Galaxy Z Flip 7 processor distribution. The company will equip global models with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, while keeping the Exynos 2500 exclusive to the Korean market.
According to Hankyung, Samsung decided to limit the Exynos 2500 to Korea only due to manufacturing challenges. The company’s 3nm foundry yields remain below ideal levels, preventing mass production of the Exynos 2500 for worldwide distribution.
Performance Advantage for Global Users
Global buyers will benefit from this decision. Recent benchmarks show the Snapdragon 8 Elite significantly outperforms the Exynos 2500. The Exynos 2500 scored 2,012 in single-core and 7,563 in multi-core Geekbench tests, which matches Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance rather than current flagship standards.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers faster processing speeds, better efficiency, and smoother performance. This means global users will experience quicker app loading, better gaming performance, and improved overall responsiveness.
Regional Strategy Behind the Decision
Samsung’s choice stems from supply chain limitations and strategic market positioning. The Exynos 2500 uses advanced 3nm technology, but production yields cannot meet global demand. By restricting the Exynos 2500 to Korea, Samsung can test its in-house chip while ensuring broader market appeal with proven Snapdragon technology.
European users particularly benefit from this strategy, as they previously received Exynos-powered Galaxy flagship phones. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 will launch in July 2025 with 12GB RAM and Android 16 with One UI 8.
Performance is good, but folding screen problems are bad.