Samsung is poised to enhance its partnership with Qualcomm, with plans for the Korean electronics leader to not only receive a tailored version of Qualcomm’s “for Galaxy” processors but also to manufacture them in its own foundry. Qualcomm is said to be working on both a standard and a premium variant of its Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 processor. Unlike earlier models that featured only increased clock speeds, Samsung is set to advance its offerings by utilizing a new 2nm manufacturing node.
Jukan Choi has revealed that Qualcomm’s development of its upcoming flagship chipset is being undertaken under the project name ‘Kaanapali’. This name, inspired by the Hawaiian resort community of Kāʻanapali, translates to “the divided hill” in Hawaiian, adding an intriguing layer to the project.
Reports indicate that Qualcomm plans to introduce two versions of its leading chipset this year: a standard model and a premium iteration designated as ‘Kaanapali S’. The basic version is expected to be a conventional chip featuring standard enhancements and will be produced using TSMC’s 3nm process, maintained from previous models.
The second variant, crafted specifically for Samsung’s Galaxy devices, will mark a departure from the typical “for Galaxy” chips, which primarily increased speed. Notably, Samsung will manufacture this chipset in its own foundry, employing its advanced 2nm process.
Sources suggest that the special ‘S’ version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will debut in Samsung’s Galaxy S26 models, set to launch next year. Current Galaxy S25 models utilize Qualcomm’s SM8750-AB or Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) SoC, which features a clock speed of 4.47GHz, slightly higher than the usual 4.32GHz.
By shifting to this advanced manufacturing process, Samsung is expected to deliver improved performance and enhanced integration with its One UI software, benefiting its user base. Additionally, it has come to light that Samsung is collaborating with Qualcomm on another initiative named ‘Trailblazer’, although these chipsets will not be intended for mobile applications. This shift towards Samsung’s 2nm technology comes amid rising prices from TSMC, prompting many customers to explore alternative options.
