Most upcoming Android flagships will use Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Qualcomm switched to a 3nm TSMC process node for the Snapdragon 8 Elite this year, and the chip production cost may further increase in 2025; impacting Android flagships too.
Recently, a Chinese tipster revealed on Weibo that TSMC will raise N4 and N3 process prices in 2025. Increased 3nm and 4nm TSMC chip costs could put pressure on Android flagships slated to come out in late 2025 to be pricey.
TSMC’s N3 (3nm) and N4 (4nm) processes could rise by 4%. As Qualcomm and MediaTek manufactured their latest flagship SoCs using TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm process, their product prices have risen significantly compared to the last year.
Source: Smart Chip Consultant / Weibo via CNMO
Previously, Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that the Snapdragon 8 Elite cost increased by 15%, reaching $180. MediaTek has also produced the latest Dimensity 9400 on TSMC’s 3nm process node, however, the price is yet to be known.
If TSMC continues to increase production costs, all Android vendors in the cost aspect will also bear greater pressure, which possibly cause them to continue to adjust the smartphone’s selling price or adjust other aspects.
It’s worth mentioning that the Vivo X200 series starting price rose $41.90, the OPPO Find X8 series starting price rose $27.93, the Xiaomi 15 series starting price rose $69.83, Honor Magic 7 series starting price rose $13.97.
Samsung Foundry
Samsung will also utilize the Snapdragon 8 Elite across the Galaxy S25 series. The company has been facing yield rate issues with its 3nm process. As a result, it’s nearly impossible to commence mass production that’s far below the threshold.
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