Qualcomm has revived its dual-production strategy for its next-generation flagship mobile processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. It has been revealed that the Samsung-made variant, previously reportedly canceled, is still in the company’s plans. Known as the SM8850s and codenamed “Kaanapali S,” the version is based on the South Korean manufacturer’s 2nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) manufacturing process.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 comes in two different versions.

New information suggests that Qualcomm will continue to rely not only on TSMC but also on Samsung. Reports based on Chinese sources indicate that Samsung’s production line offers lower costs compared to TSMC.

While the transition to the 2nm class is expected to increase production costs across the industry, particularly by 2026, Qualcomm appears to be already taking precautions against potential cost increases. Its ongoing manufacturing partnership with Samsung is considered a strategic balancing act in this context.

On the TSMC side, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 variant produced using the N3P process stands out. This production line is known for offering higher performance and energy efficiency. However, it is also reported that costs are rising accordingly.

While Samsung’s GAA process is not yet in large-scale mass production, it is reported that the company is accelerating its efficiency efforts in this area. Allegations that Samsung is offering affordable offers to Qualcomm are among the factors explaining this variant’s continued development.

It remains unclear how significant the performance differences will be if the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is released as a product of both Samsung and TSMC. However, sources indicate that neither variant may offer a significant performance increase over previous generations. This could mean that the Elite series’ technical improvements compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 may be limited.

There’s also speculation that Qualcomm may not limit this strategy to the current model. Similarly, it’s been suggested that the company could use both TSMC and Samsung production lines for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3, expected to launch in 2026.

While there’s no official confirmation yet, this multi-segment supply chain structure suggests the company is continuing its efforts to reduce cost and production risks.