In the fast-paced world of smartphones, one of the most talked-about topics is the race for the fastest chips. Recent rumors suggested that Samsung could be working on a 2nm version of Qualcomm’s upcoming flagship chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. This version was said to be even more advanced than the 3nm variant that most Android flagship phones were expected to use, with potential plans to feature in certain regional versions of Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series.
However, it appears that these plans have hit a roadblock. According to a recent report from the reliable tipster @Jukanlosreve on X/Twitter, Qualcomm has reportedly canceled Samsung’s manufacturing plan for the 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip. This variant is now nowhere to be found in the current specifications, indicating that the project has been discontinued.
Previously, Qualcomm had listed two distinct variants of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (base model number SM8850) SoC based on their manufacturers – a 3nm version from TSMC (labeled 8850-T) and a 2nm version from Samsung (labeled 8850-S). However, the distinction between the two has now disappeared, leaving only the base SM8850 model, likely referring to the TSMC-made 3nm chip.
This development suggests that most Android flagship phones will likely be powered by the TSMC-produced 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip starting in late 2025. The reasons behind Qualcomm’s decision to halt the Samsung 2nm project are not yet clear, leaving room for speculation.
In related news from the same source, the price of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (SM8850) prototype has reportedly increased to $15,000 for interested companies. Furthermore, the specifications for a future chip, potentially the Snapdragon 8s Gen 5 (model number SM8845), are said to be undergoing reorganization, although details on this are limited. This chip is expected to be Qualcomm’s next-generation affordable flagship SoC.
While a 2nm chip from Samsung for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 would have been groundbreaking, it seems that there have been setbacks in the process. For now, the 3nm variant from TSMC remains the frontrunner for the next generation of powerful Android devices.