Galaxy Z Flip 7: US Model Might Ditch Snapdragon For Exynos 2500

For years, a predictable pattern has defined Samsung’s premium smartphone strategy in the United States: top-tier Galaxy flagships almost invariably arrive with Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon chipsets under the hood. However, if the latest whispers from the tech world are to be believed, this long-standing tradition might change. It looks like Samsung could equip the upcoming foldable Galaxy Z Flip 7 with the Exynos 2500 chip, coming to the US after all.

The information comes from SamMobile. The report claims that firmware files for the US version of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 prove the device is equipped with the Exynos 2500 chipset. A recent South Korean media report had claimed otherwise. More specifically, it had said that the device would use the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip globally except in Korea.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 firmware files “confirm” Exynos 2500 chip in the US

The potential move represents a considerable departure from what we’ve seen. While Samsung does use its Exynos chips in some regions for its Galaxy S series, the US market has largely been a Snapdragon stronghold, especially for its flagship-tier devices. Things had already changed with the Galaxy S24 FE launched in 2024. But the Z Flip series holds a unique position as a premium foldable, making this rumored decision more significant.

So, why would Samsung consider such a pivotal change for a device as important as the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in a key market like the US? It could be due to thermal management. Modern smartphone chipsets, particularly high-performance ones like the Snapdragon 8 Elite, generate a considerable amount of heat. In the ultra-thin, sleek, and compact form factor of a foldable phone like the Z Flip, dissipating this heat efficiently could be really challenging.

Of course, the performance and efficiency of the Exynos 2500 itself remain an unknown quantity. As a fresh, unreleased chipset, its real-world capabilities are still under wraps. Anyways, recent leaked benchmarks indicate that the Snapdragon 8 Elite still has the edge when it comes to raw power. This time, the performance of the Exynos 2500 will be under an intense spotlight, especially if it’s powering a top-tier foldable in such a competitive market. It will be necessary to see if its thermal management helps justify the potential decision.

Samsung relies on Exynos again

Samsung’s return to Exynos on a large scale signals a renewed confidence in its in-house silicon. Improving the hardware into a flagship-tier foldable destined for the discerning US market is quite significant. For consumers, it could mean a different flavor of performance or perhaps even an optimization uniquely tailored to the foldable device. We’ll eagerly await official confirmations and, more importantly, the chance to put the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s (and its rumored Exynos heart) capabilities to the test upon its eventual release.