Samsung Exynos "Comeback": Using Self-Designed Chips to Unify Galaxy Empire?

Seoul — Samsung is making a big move.

March 2, Samsung Mobile executive announced: future all Galaxy phones will use Exynos self-designed chips. What does this mean? Samsung is "parting ways" with Qualcomm.

Exynos' "Bumpy" Road

Exynos is Samsung's self-designed phone chip. But this road has always been bumpy.

Early Exynos was criticized by users as "Fire Dragon" due to heating, battery life issues. Samsung had to use Qualcomm chips for some models.

"Exynos is Samsung's 'Achilles heel,'" an industry analyst said. "Performance not as good as Qualcomm, but had to make it."

Why "Unify"?

Why does Samsung want to "unify" now?

First is cost. Qualcomm chips are expensive, tens of dollars per phone. "Using Exynos saves a lot of money," the analyst said. "Samsung sells 200 million phones yearly, even saving $10 per phone is $2 billion."

Second is control. "Using Qualcomm chips means working for Qualcomm," a Samsung insider said. "Chip, parameters, rhythm — all led by Qualcomm."

Challenges of "Unification"

But this road has huge challenges.

Biggest question: Can Exynos performance keep up?

Latest news shows Samsung is developing next-generation Exynos chip, planned for Galaxy S28. Reported, new chip will use FOPLP (Fan-out Panel-Level Packaging) technology, performance expected to approach Qualcomm.

"If successful, Samsung completely breaks from Qualcomm," an observer said. "If not, Galaxy users will suffer."

User Concerns

Among users, concerns spread.

"I used Exynos S20, serious heating, terrible battery," a user said on forum. "Hope Samsung learns."

But some users support: "Support Exynos! What's interesting about always using Qualcomm?"

Qualcomm's Response

Qualcomm declined to comment.

But analysis believes Qualcomm won't watch Samsung "run away" idly.

"Qualcomm can raise prices, limit supply," an industry person said. "Although Samsung is big, Qualcomm has no rivals in high-end chips."

Chinese Manufacturers' Opportunity

Samsung Exynos "returning" — what does it mean for Chinese manufacturers?

"Short term is opportunity," an industry person analyzed. "If Samsung Exynos has problems, users may turn to Chinese brands."

But he acknowledged: "Chinese manufacturers also have gap in chips, need time to catch up."

Epilogue

At Samsung headquarters, I met an engineer. He told me Exynos team has big pressure.

"We know users criticize us," he said. "But we're working hard."

Perhaps this is Samsung's "gamble": either completely rise, or continue being criticized.

Reference: PhoneArena, Sammy Fans, Gadget Hacks