Samsung’s Galaxy S series has been at the forefront of the smartphone market, delivering cutting-edge technology year after year. With each new iteration, the South Korean tech giant raises the bar for performance, design, and user experience.
As we approach 2025, all eyes are now on the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the flagship device set to lead the upcoming Galaxy S25 lineup. Recent leaks and a Geekbench listing have given us a glimpse into what the US variant of the S25 Ultra might bring to the table, and it looks like Samsung is pulling out all the stops.
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Overview of the Galaxy S25 Ultra
Slated for release in January 2025, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to continue the Ultra model’s tradition of combining top-tier hardware with innovative features. While details are still trickling in, the recent Geekbench leak has revealed some exciting aspects of the device, particularly the US variant, which will feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC.
This upcoming release marks an interesting pivot for Samsung, especially considering the ongoing debate over whether the company would use its in-house Exynos chipsets or stick to Snapdragon processors across all regions. The Geekbench listing for the US variant confirms that at least in the US, Snapdragon will be powering the Ultra model, but the broader global strategy remains to be confirmed.
The Geekbench Leak: What It Tells Us
The listing, which surfaced on September 24, 2024, gives us a sneak peek at the specifications of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The device was spotted with the model number SM-S938U, which aligns with the naming conventions Samsung uses for its US models (the previous S24 Ultra had the model number SM-S928U).
Here’s a breakdown of the key details from the Geekbench entry:
- Operating System: The Galaxy S25 Ultra is running Android 15, Google’s latest OS version, which is expected to roll out globally by the time of the phone’s release. This ensures the device will benefit from the latest security, performance, and feature updates that Android 15 brings to the table.
- RAM: The listing shows the device with 10.54GB of RAM, which strongly suggests that the commercial model will come with 12GB of RAM, a standard configuration for high-end smartphones today. It’s also possible that Samsung may offer additional configurations with higher RAM options, such as 16GB, similar to what we’ve seen in previous generations.
- Chipset: Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the leak is the confirmation of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset. The chipset, codenamed ‘Sun’, is expected to be Qualcomm’s next-gen powerhouse and the successor to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The octa-core architecture includes two Prime CPU cores with a maximum clock speed of 4.19GHz and six performance cores capped at 2.90GHz.Early benchmarks show the device achieving an impressive 3,069 points in single-core tests and 9,080 points in multi-core tests. These scores suggest a significant leap in processing power, especially in multi-threaded tasks, where the new Snapdragon SoC is expected to shine.
- Clock Speed Optimization: Interestingly, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is expected to feature a peak clock speed of 4.32GHz, the Geekbench listing shows the S25 Ultra clocked at 4.19GHz. This could be an early prototype, and the final retail version may feature higher speeds once optimizations are made. Qualcomm typically releases chipsets with varying performance profiles depending on thermal management and power efficiency needs.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 4: What We Know So Far
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is shaping up to be a groundbreaking chipset, with rumors suggesting that Qualcomm has made major architectural changes to enhance performance and efficiency. One of the standout features is expected to be a dual-cluster design, which includes two Prime cores for heavy tasks and six performance cores for efficient multi-tasking. These cores are built using the latest 3nm process, which not only boosts performance but also reduces power consumption.
In addition to its raw CPU power, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is likely to come equipped with an upgraded Adreno GPU, pushing the boundaries of mobile gaming and AI-based tasks. Samsung’s One UI 7.0, which will run atop Android 15, is expected to take full advantage of this hardware, offering users smoother transitions, better gaming experiences, and enhanced multitasking capabilities.
The Role of Exynos: What Happened to the Exynos 2500?
In previous years, Samsung employed a dual-chip strategy, equipping the Galaxy S24 series with both Snapdragon and Exynos variants, depending on the region. While the US models traditionally featured Snapdragon processors, European and Asian markets often received devices powered by Samsung’s in-house Exynos chips.
For the Galaxy S25 Ultra, rumors initially pointed to a full shift toward the Exynos 2500 for all markets. However, the latest leaks indicate that Samsung may have once again opted to use Snapdragon for its Ultra model, at least in the US. This decision could be driven by a few factors:
- Performance Parity: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Gen 4 chipsets have consistently outperformed Exynos counterparts in recent years, especially in terms of power efficiency and GPU capabilities. This could have pushed Samsung to reconsider its all-Exynos strategy for the S25 lineup, particularly in key markets where Snapdragon chips are preferred.
- Market Perception: Consumers in the US, and even globally, have shown a preference for Snapdragon-powered devices due to their superior performance in tasks like gaming, photography, and AI-based processing. Samsung may not want to risk customer dissatisfaction by offering a less popular chip option in one of its most important markets.
- Cost Efficiency: By focusing Exynos production on mid-range devices or limited regions, Samsung could control production costs more effectively while maintaining its partnership with Qualcomm for high-end markets.
That said, we cannot rule out the possibility that the Exynos 2500 could still feature in non-US variants of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, offering a slightly different experience for users in other regions.
Related topic – Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Leaked Renders Reveal Stunning Design Upgrades and Powerful New Features
