Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra flagship smartphone might see a surprising return of the company’s in-house Exynos processors. Reports suggest that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme 6th generation chip is encountering significant overheating issues during final testing, potentially forcing Samsung’s hand.
Snapdragon Overheating: A Challenge for the Galaxy S27 Ultra
According to insider information shared by digital tipster @i冰宇宙 and reported by the Seoul Economic Daily, Samsung’s internal tests revealed that the new Snapdragon chip exceeds acceptable temperature limits under heavy load, leading to performance throttling. Samsung reportedly alerted Qualcomm to these issues in September 2026 and is demanding a resolution by mid-October.
Both companies are actively engaged in optimization and re-testing efforts. Samsung is slated to assess Qualcomm’s progress on the cooling challenges this month, which will be crucial in making the final processor decision for the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Should Qualcomm fail to rectify the situation, Samsung is prepared to pivot to its own Exynos 2700 chip.
Exynos 2700: A Return to Roots?
If the Exynos 2700 is selected for the Galaxy S27 Ultra, it would mark the first time an Exynos processor has powered an Ultra model since the Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2022, which featured the Exynos 2200 in its European variant. Following that, Samsung transitioned to exclusively using Qualcomm processors for its global Ultra flagship models starting with the Galaxy S23 Ultra in 2023.
Recent rumors also indicate that Samsung Electronics has already commenced mass production of the Exynos 2700, with expectations that it will be featured in the upcoming Galaxy S27 series smartphones.
Interestingly, previous leaks concerning the Galaxy S27 Ultra also hinted at AI-driven improvements for lens flare reduction and a modest 3% increase in charging speed. However, if the processor dilemma isn’t resolved, these enhancements might be tied to a different chipset.
This situation is particularly noteworthy, as Samsung has invested heavily in refining its Exynos processors over the years, despite opting for Qualcomm for its top-tier devices in recent times. A potential return of Exynos to the Ultra lineup would represent a significant development for the company and could signal substantial progress in its proprietary mobile chip development.
For now, the industry awaits official statements from Samsung and Qualcomm. The outcome of these tests and the subsequent decisions by both companies will be pivotal for the future of Samsung’s flagship smartphone series.
Source: ithome.com
