Back in October 2025, Korean media suggested that Samsung could produce a 2nm version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen processor. At the time, the claim sounded far-fetched. TSMC was already manufacturing the same chip on a 3nm process, and Samsung hadn’t produced a Snapdragon flagship in years. But the Korean firm has turned things around, and a 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen now looks far more realistic.

Samsung’s foundry comeback may be getting its biggest validation yet

At CES 2026, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon confirmed ongoing talks with Samsung for the production of a flagship Snapdragon chip on its second-gen 2nm process (SF2P). While many assumed this collaboration would be reserved for the next-gen Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, the reality may be different. According to the Korean media, Qualcomm is planning to produce a 2nm version of its current flagship, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

The chipmaker has allegedly completed the 2nm chip design with Samsung and is now “exchanging wafers for performance modifications.” This suggests the collaboration has moved beyond early talks and into active validation. If all goes well, Samsung’s 2nm version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 could enter mass production in the near future.

The Korean firm has reportedly allocated around 10% of the production capacity at its S3 fab in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, to Qualcomm. After all, it’s a massive win for its foundry division. Qualcomm last had a Snapdragon flagship manufactured by Samsung in 2021. It then shifted entirely to TSMC due to yield and efficiency concerns at Samsung.

Qualcomm’s return now suggests that Samsung’s 2nm SF2P process has closed, or even reversed, that gap. If Samsung can deliver strong yields, performance, and power efficiency at 2nm, this partnership could mark a turning point for its foundry business. The company may finally be able to challenge TSMC’s dominance.

Galaxy S26 Ultra may not feature the 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

As mentioned above, TSMC has already manufactured the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 on its 3nm process. Samsung is expected to use the 3nm version in its upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra. It may be too late to switch to the 2nm variant, as the new flagships have entered mass production ahead of their expected debut in February.

That said, Samsung also plans to ship some Galaxy S26 models with its in-house Exynos 2600, which is a 2nm chipset, so there’s still room for surprises. The Korean biggie has a history of last-minute curveballs, and it’s not out of the question that the 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 could quietly make its way into select Galaxy S26 models or regions, especially if validation progresses faster than expected.