Last year, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 launched exclusively with the Exynos 2500 chipset — even in markets like the US that traditionally get Snapdragon-powered devices. We’ve already heard that its sequel won’t repeat that strategy. Now a report from Korean publication The Bell has drawn the regional map that divides Exynos territories from Snapdragon territories.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 will use the Exynos 2600 in South Korea and Europe. Every other region gets a Qualcomm chip, though it’s still unclear whether that’s the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.
An insider from Samsung’s MX division (which manufactures the phones) explained: “The Galaxy Z Flip series is a product line where consumers prioritize price and portability over top-tier performance. Performance sensitivity is lower compared to the Fold series, so the burden of using in-house APs is relatively lighter.”
The Galaxy Z Fold8 and the new Galaxy Z Fold Ultra will use Snapdragon chips. The Exynos 2600 costs less than Qualcomm’s flagship, so this is Samsung trying to protect the MX division’s margins, which are under pressure from rising component costs due to RAM and flash memory shortages. The move also boosts Samsung’s LSI (chipset division) and foundry businesses.
The Exynos 2600 didn’t impress in our Galaxy S26 review — battery life was disappointing. That doesn’t bode well for the Galaxy Z Flip8, which isn’t getting a battery upgrade or faster charging this year. It does promise a new hinge design for a crease-free display, but camera hardware remains unchanged from last year.
Samsung is expected to unveil three foldables — Galaxy Z Flip8, Z Fold8, and Z Fold Ultra — next month. The rumored date is July 22.
That same MX insider also noted: “As component prices are rising across the board, the scope of Exynos adoption will increase further in new products scheduled for next year.” In other words, expect to see the Exynos 2700 in the Galaxy S27 and S27+.
