Highlights

• Samsung Galaxy S25 may face a price hike due to increasing chipset costs.
• Qualcomm’s anticipated expensive chipsets could influence Samsung’s pricing strategy.
• Dual usage of Exynos and Snapdragon serves as a strategic leverage for Samsung.

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra may share the $1,199 price tag with its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

However, potential increases in chipset costs could lead to a pricing change in the upcoming Galaxy S25.

Here’s a look into the factors that might affect the device’s price tag.

The Current Situation

Industry sources indicate that the Galaxy S24 Ultra will likely retain the current Samsung price point, leaving consumers optimistic about stable pricing in the short term.

The company traditionally uses a mix of its own Exynos chipsets and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets in its Galaxy S series.

For the Galaxy S23 series, Samsung standardised on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 across all models globally.

However, the Galaxy S24 series is expected to feature both the Exynos 2400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Samsung’s dual approach of using both Exynos and Snapdragon serves as a strategic hedge against Qualcomm’s pricing power.

Qualcomm has more leverage in negotiations when Samsung exclusively uses Snapdragon chipsets, affecting the cost margins.

A potential rise in chipset costs from Qualcomm, especially with the introduction of Oryon CPU cores in 2024, could compel Samsung to rethink its pricing strategy.

The Impact on 2025 Models

Qualcomm’s anticipated release of more expensive chipsets could influence the starting price of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series.

This also potentially affects the pricing of Samsung’s foldable lineup— the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7— since they are also powered exclusively by Snapdragon chipsets.

Samsung faces a choice between maintaining current profit margins by raising prices or finding efficiencies elsewhere to keep prices stable.

Either way, it’s consumers who will feel the financial implications.

FAQs

Why might the Samsung Galaxy S25 be more expensive?

Rising costs of chipsets from Qualcomm could lead Samsung to reconsider its pricing strategy for the Galaxy S25 and other future models.

How do chipsets affect smartphone pricing?

Chipsets are a core component in smartphones, and a rise in their costs will inevitably impact the overall pricing of the device, affecting the consumer’s pocket.

Why does Samsung use both Exynos and Snapdragon chipsets?

Samsung uses both to maintain a strategic position against Qualcomm’s pricing power. This dual approach serves as a hedge when negotiating costs.

Could this price change affect other Samsung models?

Yes, other Samsung models like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 could also face price changes as they are exclusively powered by Snapdragon chipsets.