Smaller, Faster, Cooler: Exynos 2500’s Tech Breakthrough

Previous reports have suggested that Samsung is likely to continue its dual-platform strategy with the Galaxy S25 series, offering both the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and the Exynos 2500 versions. However, it remains unclear if the highest-end model, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, will be exclusively equipped with the fourth-generation Snapdragon 8. Rumors suggest that Samsung is currently testing the Exynos 2500, which reportedly delivers commendable performance, with both its CPU and GPU outperforming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

According to Wccftech, the Exynos 2500 will be Samsung’s first smartphone SoC to utilize the second-generation 3nm process technology. Likely following in the footsteps of the Exynos 2400, it may employ fan-out wafer-level packaging (FoWLP), which not only reduces the size of the packaging but also enhances chip thermal management. This enables stronger multicore performance and extends battery life. Thanks to this advanced technology, the Exynos 2500 can operate at higher frequencies while maintaining the same power consumption level.

This year, Samsung will introduce its second-generation 3nm process technology, known as SF3 (3GAP), which incorporates the “second-generation Multi-Bridge Channel FET (MBCFET)” already in pilot production. Samsung has high expectations for this second-generation 3nm process, with power consumption, performance, and area (PPA) metrics that could rival TSMC’s N3P process. Compared to the previous 4nm FinFET process, it offers an efficiency and density improvement of 20% to 30%.

However, Samsung still faces challenges with yield rates. In recent years, the yield rates for Samsung’s advanced manufacturing processes have been less than ideal. The first-generation 3nm technology, SF3E (3nm GAA, 3GAE), which started mass production in June 2022, initially had yield rates lingering between 10% and 20%. It has only recently seen more than a doubling in these figures.

There are indications that Qualcomm’s fourth-generation Snapdragon 8 is experiencing issues with power consumption and heat generation, compelling manufacturers to equip smartphones with larger batteries. If Samsung can resolve the production challenges with the Exynos 2500, it may well surpass the fourth-generation Snapdragon 8 in terms of energy efficiency.