Samsung fans hoping for a unique Snapdragon chip in the Galaxy S26 Ultra might be disappointed. A recent rumor suggests Qualcomm has canceled plans for a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip, codenamed “Kaanapali,” meant for the Galaxy S26 series. Instead, Qualcomm is sticking with TSMC to produce its next Snapdragon chip using a 3nm process.

This decision could affect Samsung’s plans, as they were reportedly testing a version of the chip made with their own 2nm process to keep costs down. The Galaxy S26 series, expected to launch in early 2026, was set to benefit from this partnership. A chip made by Samsung’s foundry could have lowered prices, making the S26 Ultra more affordable.

However, Qualcomm’s choice to rely on TSMC might mean higher costs, which could lead to pricier phones. There’s still a chance Samsung could use its 2nm Exynos 2600 chip for some S26 models, especially the base and Edge versions, to balance performance and cost.

This news comes as Samsung prepares for its Unpacked event on July 9, 2025, where it will unveil new foldable phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7. While the S26 Ultra’s chip details are still unconfirmed, this shift could impact Samsung’s strategy to stay competitive. Fans should keep an eye out for more updates as the launch date nears.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series has been a big hit, selling 16.42 million units by the end of May. This includes 4.86 million basic models, 3.17 million Plus models, and a whopping 8.39 million Ultra models. What’s interesting is that all of these phones use a special chip: the “Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy.”

This leads to a simple, yet intriguing question: does this mean exactly 16.42 million Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chips have been shipped?

The answer is very likely yes, almost certainly.

Here’s why this is significant:

Traditionally, Samsung has sometimes used different chips in their Galaxy S phones depending on the region. Some areas would get phones with Samsung’s own “Exynos” chips, while others would get “Snapdragon” chips from Qualcomm.

However, for the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung made a big change. Due to reasons like production challenges with their own chips, Samsung decided to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy in all Galaxy S25 phones worldwide. This means that every single one of those 16.42 million Galaxy S25 units sold comes with that specific Snapdragon chip inside.

So, while it might seem like a straightforward question, it highlights a notable shift in Samsung’s strategy and a huge win for Qualcomm, the maker of the Snapdragon chip. It confirms that the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is indeed the main chip powering this generation of Galaxy S phones, with its sales numbers directly reflecting the success of the S25 lineup.

Samsung is facing tough times in the smartwatch market, slipping from third to fourth place globally. A recent report shows that competitors like Xiaomi and Huawei are growing fast, while Samsung’s sales are struggling, especially in North America and Europe. Xiaomi has now overtaken Samsung, claiming the top spot with its affordable Redmi Band 5, while Apple remains the market leader.

Huawei holds strong in second place, and Samsung trails behind in fourth. The first quarter of 2025 was rough for Samsung, with a noticeable dip in shipments. This is a concern, as North America and Europe are key markets for the company. However, this data reflects a quieter period for Samsung, as it typically launches new smartwatches later in the year.

Global Smartwatch Shipments by OEM Share, Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024

The upcoming Galaxy Watch 8 series, set to debut at Samsung’s Unpacked event on July 9 in New York City, could help turn things around. The new watches will feature a fresh “squircle” design, aiming to win over buyers. Despite the challenges, Samsung’s fans are excited about the upcoming launch.

The company hopes its new smartwatches will boost sales and help reclaim a stronger position in the market. With rivals stepping up, Samsung needs a big win to stay competitive. Keep an eye out for the Unpacked event to see if the Galaxy Watch 8 can make a difference.

Global Smartwatch Shipments by Region Share, Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024