What you should know
- Samsung‘s Galaxy S24 series features two different application processors: the Exynos 2400 SoC for most markets, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy specifically for the U.S. and China, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra using the Snapdragon chipset globally.
- Despite initial considerations, Samsung did not proceed with MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 for its Galaxy S series due to insufficient production volume from MediaTek, falling short of Samsung’s requirement.
- MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 SoC, which lacks low-power efficiency CPU cores but boasts high performance, was not chosen for the Galaxy S series, as most units were already committed to other manufacturers like vivo for its X100 Pro handset.
- Samsung has committed to using Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets for its future Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S26 lines, highlighting a strong business relationship between Qualcomm and Samsung that discourages potential collaboration with MediaTek for flagship Galaxy S series until possibly 2027.
Full Story
Oh boy, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series is shaking things up this year. They’ve got not one, but two brains powering these beauties. We’re talking about the homegrown Exynos 2400 SoC and the beastly Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset. It’s like having two superheroes in your pocket.
Now, here’s the scoop. The Galaxy S24 and its slightly bigger sibling, the S24+, are rocking the Exynos 2400 SoC. That’s in every market, well, except for the U.S. and China. Over there, they’ve got the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy flexing its muscles under the hood.
And then there’s the big kahuna, the Galaxy S24 Ultra. This bad boy doesn’t mess around; it’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy all the way, in every single region. No exceptions.
But wait, there’s a plot twist. According to the folks at Revegnus, Samsung had its eyes on another prize initially. They were all set to cozy up with the Dimensity 9000 chipset, fresh out of the oven in early 2022. MediaTek, however, could only muster up 10 million of these chips. Samsung was like, “Nah, we need 30 to 35 million.” Talk about a mismatch.
So, that juicy rumor about MediaTek’s flagship AP finding a home in Samsung’s flagship phones? Yeah, not happening. Samsung did give the Dimensity 9000 a hard look for the Galaxy S series, but MediaTek’s supply cupboard was a bit too bare for Samsung’s liking.
And here’s a little food for thought. Imagine a Galaxy S series phone juiced up with a chipset boasting four Cortex-X4 CPU cores, humming along at up to 3.25GHz. Plus, four Cortex-A720 performance CPU cores. But, no low-power efficiency cores in sight. A powerhouse, right? Sadly, we’ll never see that dream become a reality. MediaTek decided to play favorites with vivo for its X100 Pro handset.
Samsung, not one to sulk, has already moved on. They’ve sealed the deal with Qualcomm for the Snapdragon chips in the Galaxy S25 and S26 lines, set to drop in 2025 and 2026. Revegnus chimed in with a tweet, pointing out the mutual back-scratching between Samsung and Qualcomm. It’s a business bromance for the ages. MediaTek trying to wedge itself into that relationship? Highly unlikely.
So, bottom line? Even if MediaTek starts flexing its silicon muscles more in the top-tier phone arena, don’t hold your breath for a Galaxy S series cameo. Not until 2027, at the earliest. Talk about playing the long game.
