The anticipation surrounding the Galaxy S25 series has been marred by ongoing discussions about its chipset choices. Samsung has made headlines numerous times, as the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon chips are witnessing a rise in prices, putting pressure on the tech giant to provide compelling alternatives. Although Samsung has made strides with its in-house Exynos chips, particularly noted in the Galaxy S24 series, consumer confidence in Exynos has waned due to past performance issues.
The scenario becomes even more complex considering recent speculation that Samsung was contemplating a switch to MediaTek’s offerings for the Galaxy S25’s base and Plus models. While this appeared to be a credible direction at first, leaks indicating that the Dimensity 9400 chipset would be featured in the Galaxy S25 FE seem to pivot the focus back to Samsung’s own Exynos silicon. There were expectations that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 or the Snapdragon 8 Elite would power the S25 and S25+, but the latest revelations suggest a different path.
Tipster Sawyer Galox has now reported that Samsung is actively testing the Exynos 2500, signaling a potential return to its own chips for these models. According to Galox, the price point of Qualcomm’s flagship chip might prove excessive for the base and Plus versions of the series, compelling Samsung to lean on its Exynos lineup. However, this decision may not resonate well with a user base that has become increasingly skeptical about the performance of Exynos chips.
Performance metrics for the Exynos 2500 have already emerged on the Geekbench database, revealing a 10-core architecture that mirrors its predecessor. The chipset incorporates three performance cores, a configuration that is relatively uncommon for smartphone System on Chips (SoCs). Nanoreview’s benchmarks reveal the Exynos 2500 achieving scores of 2666 in single-core and 8839 in multi-core performance tests. For context, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has managed impressive scores surpassing 3000 in single-core tests and exceeding 9000 in multi-core tests. In contrast, competing devices like the OnePlus 13 and iQOO 13, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen chip, are reported to achieve even higher scores, bolstered by superior thermal management solutions.
Given these performance comparisons, it raises questions about how the Galaxy S25 and S25+ will fare, especially during extended workloads typical in daily use. The balancing act of maintaining competitive performance without alienating users could become increasingly challenging for Samsung as it navigates the launch of its next flagship models.
On a design front, expectations are that all models in the Galaxy S25 lineup will feature slimmer profiles compared to their predecessors, with the Ultra model boasting a flat display and rounded corners for the first time. As Samsung gears up for the introduction of the Galaxy S25 series, how it addresses performance concerns surrounding the Exynos 2500 will likely play a significant role in shaping consumer perception and overall interest in the devices. In an era where brand loyalty can hinge on the perceived quality and performance of chips, Samsung faces a pivotal moment in its flagship smartphone narrative.