Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip8 won't follow the same chip strategy as last year's Flip7, which launched globally with only the Exynos 2500. According to Korean publication The Bell, the new foldable will feature different processors depending on the market. South Korea and Europe will get the Exynos 2600, while other regions will switch to a Qualcomm chip.
It's not yet clear which Snapdragon will be used outside Europe and Korea. Leaks have mentioned names like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. In contrast, the larger foldable models—the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold Wide—are expected to launch exclusively with Snapdragon, with no regional variation.
A source from Samsung's MX division explained the reasoning behind this strategy, saying that Flip buyers tend to prioritize design and portability over raw performance. That makes using Samsung's own processor less risky for this model compared to the Fold line, whose audience is more focused on flagship specs.
There's also a clear economic motive. The Exynos 2600 costs Samsung less than a flagship Snapdragon, and the MX division is currently facing rising costs due to more expensive RAM and flash storage. Expanding the use of Exynos helps protect margins while also supporting Samsung's LSI and Foundry units, which handle chip design and manufacturing.
For potential Galaxy Z Flip8 buyers, this news could be a mixed bag. Reviews of the Galaxy S26 showed that Exynos 2600 versions lagged behind Snapdragon variants in performance and battery life. And the Flip8 reportedly won't see a major battery or charging speed upgrade. The main hardware improvement is said to be a new hinge that reduces the screen crease, while the cameras may remain similar to last year's model.
Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Fold Wide in July, likely on July 22. The Bell's source also hinted that Samsung could expand its use of Exynos even further in 2027. That suggests the Galaxy S27 and S27+ might get the Exynos 2700 in most markets if component prices continue to climb.