The relationship between Samsung and chipmaker Qualcomm has only strengthened over the years. Their decade-long strategic foundry collaboration extended further when Samsung granted the use of its 10-nanometer FinFET process technology to Qualcomm. This is the same tech being used for manufacturing of the new Snapdragon 835 chips. With Samsung having a heavy hand in the chip’s inception, the company might be exercising some control over the production of the processors.
As per reports from Forbes, Samsung is grabbing the first fresh supply of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processors for its upcoming flagship device.The stocking up of the chips is allegedly being done so as to hold off the competitive phones from entering the market. Moreover, it might force other smartphone players to equip their devices with older Snapdragon 821 chipset. Hence, creating an unsaid advantage prior to the launch of Galaxy S8.
Qualcomm revealed the specs for Snapdragon 835 at the beginning of this year at CES 2017. The company announced Snapdragon 835 as the successor to 2016’s Snapdragon 820 flagship. The new processor not only consumes 25 percent less power than last year’s chip but is also integrated with Quick Charge 4.0. and USB Type-C compatibility. The said chipset is the newest addition to the Snapdragon lineup that dominates the premium smartphone world.
Samsung’s Galaxy S8 is expected to launch by the mid-April as Samsung’s mobile head DJ Koh confirmed its missing presence at MWC. The magazine further states that other Android devices have to wait till summer until the Samsung reveals its S8. This will especially turn down the users waiting for the Nokia phone which is likely to be released with a Snapdragon 835 processor in tow. It enhances preferences for smartphones with Snapdragon 821 processors such as Google Pixel and OnePlus 3T for a few more months.
Apart from it, the Snapdragon 820 is now manufactured by Samsung, using the new 14nm LPP process as per the deal struck between the duo in January. The reports suggest that due to their agreement, Qualcomm has helped Samsung in accumulating the earliest supply of the 835.
As Samsung also channelizes its own Exynos processors in Korea and other markets, it is possible that other Android smartphones may gain a lead in these specific markets. Therefore, in 2017 we might just have to keep up the specs for the latest Android devices and hold onto it until April. Till then, the Qualcomm silicon is expected to get back on track with regards to availability.
