Snapdragon 8 Elite 2’s 2nm Samsung variant reportedly cancelled as Qualcomm pivots to TSMC

In the high-stakes race to build the fastest and most efficient smartphone chip, Qualcomm seems to have made a big change to its plans for the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. According to a leak on X (formerly Twitter) by tipster @Jukanlosreve, Qualcomm has reportedly cancelled the Samsung-manufactured 2nm version of the chip, opting instead to move forward solely with TSMC’s 3nm variant.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, internally known as SM8850, was expected to launch in late 2025 and power the next generation of Android flagships. Early reports suggested Qualcomm was working with both Samsung and TSMC on two versions:

• SM8850-T: a 3nm chip made by TSMC.
• SM8850-S: a 2nm chip made by Samsung.

However, the leaked information indicates that the SM8850-S has been removed entirely from Qualcomm’s internal listings, leaving the TSMC-built 3nm version as the sole flagship offering.

Why did Qualcomm drop Samsung’s 2nm plan?

Qualcomm has not made any official statement, so the exact reason remains unclear. Possible explanations could include:

• Production or yield challenges at Samsung’s 2nm node.
• Performance or power efficiency falling short of expectations.
• Strategic preference for TSMC’s proven 3nm process, which already powers many premium devices.

Whatever the reason, this move represents a setback for Samsung Foundry, which had hoped the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 would showcase its next-gen 2nm process and help it regain momentum in the semiconductor market.

What’s next for Snapdragon 8 Elite 2?

With the Samsung variant gone, it appears all major Android flagships launching in late 2025 and beyond will use the TSMC-manufactured 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. Notably, the chip’s developer prototype has reportedly seen its price surge to $15,000, suggesting high demand and limited early availability — likely reserved for Qualcomm’s top-tier partners.

In addition, the leak mentions Qualcomm’s SM8845, expected to debut as the Snapdragon 8s Gen 5, is also undergoing internal specification changes. This chip is likely to target premium mid-range and upper-mid-range devices, offering flagship-grade performance just below the Elite tier.

What does this mean for Samsung?

For Samsung, this is a missed opportunity to prove its 2nm process at scale. While the company may still bring its 2nm technology to market — possibly with its own Exynos chips or other partnerships — it seems it won’t debut on Qualcomm’s flagship silicon anytime soon.

Conclusion

Qualcomm’s decision to stick with TSMC’s 3nm process for the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 suggests a focus on stability and proven performance for its flagship chip. While a Samsung-built 2nm Snapdragon would have been a milestone, the company will now have to wait for another chance to showcase its cutting-edge technology.

For Android users, this likely means flagship phones in late 2025 will run on TSMC’s highly efficient 3nm chips, delivering powerful performance and longer battery life — but without the leap to 2nm just yet.

If you’d like, I can also draft a comparison piece: TSMC vs Samsung in chip manufacturing or a timeline of Snapdragon flagship chips leading up to the Elite 2. Let me know!