Qualcomm has reportedly canceled its much-anticipated 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip, which was being developed in collaboration with Samsung.
Instead, Qualcomm will continue to rely solely on the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for upcoming flagship smartphones.
The 2nm version, internally known as SM8850-S, has quietly disappeared from Qualcomm’s official listings, leaving only the TSMC-produced 3nm SM8850-T chip on the table.
This move marks a setback for Samsung, which was aiming to showcase its advanced 2nm fabrication technology and reclaim prominence in the semiconductor industry.
While Qualcomm has not provided an official explanation, industry insiders speculate the cancellation could be due to rising production costs, technical challenges, or strategic realignment.
The price of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 prototype has reportedly surged to $15,000, indicating a limited supply intended for select partners.
In parallel, Qualcomm is working on a new chip, the SM8845—expected to be branded as Snapdragon 8s Gen 5—that may serve as a more affordable flagship alternative targeting upper mid-range devices. Details about this chipset remain limited.
For now, Qualcomm’s flagship chipsets will continue to use TSMC’s 3nm technology, while Samsung’s hoped-for 2nm breakthrough will have to wait.
