Samsung’s FE lineup of phones typically uses a slightly weaker, efficiency-focused chipset. The Galaxy S24 FE uses the Exynos 2400e, which is a variant of the Exynos 2400 with slightly lower power performance but higher power efficiency. New leaks mention that the upcoming Galaxy S25 FE could use the Dimensity 9400 SOC.
As per exclusive information from Notebookcheck, Samsung might have other plans. Samsung’s foundry suffers from a low yield rate, and this is the reason why the company collaborates with Qualcomm for chipsets. Samsung is unable to produce enough chips to support the entire portfolio.
This is the main reason why the upcoming S25 FE might move to a MediaTek chip. Samsung’s primary choice is still the Exynos 2400e. If Samsung can’t make enough units of this, the company has no choice but to move to Qualcomm or MediaTek. Since Qualcomm charges hefty prices for chipsets, it makes sense to collaborate with MediaTek instead.
The Dimensity 9400 is a very successful, thermally efficient, and powerful flagship chipset. It runs cooler than the Snapdragon 8 Elite on compact devices, while also offering excellent efficiency, which leads to stellar battery life on phones like the Oppo Find X8 and Find X8 Pro.
Assuming Samsung actually makes the jump from the Exynos 2400e to the MediaTek Dimensity 9400, it’s actually a major step-up in performance. It vastly outperforms the Exynos 2400e by every metric, and can also compete very well with the best mobile chipsets in the world.
While earlier leaks about the S25 FE were rather disappointing, since it probably has zero meaningful changes from the S24 FE, the rumor of the Dimensity 9400 makes it a very exciting option, that might even overshadow the more expensive S25 in terms of value. Since the S25 suffers from thermal trouble, the S25 FE could solve that if the company opts for the Dimensity 9400.
Do note that it’s just Samsung’s backup plan at the moment, and it’ll only happen if Samsung’s foundry fails at making enough Exynos 2400e chipsets. This isn’t the first time Samsung has used flagship chips from MediaTek. The recent Galaxy Tab 10 series uses it as well.
As per the same source, the Galaxy S25 FE will probably launch in late 2025, and will undercut the base S25 model by at least 100 or 150$. Samsung will try its best to push for Exynos, since it’ll bring much-needed revenue to the Samsung foundry, which is currently not making enough.
However, the company also has to split resources. The Galaxy Z Flip FE, which is effectively the Z Flip 6 with a rebrand and a different chip, might also get the Exynos 2400e chipset to keep the prices low. If Samsung doesn’t have enough units for both the S25 FE and Z Flip FE, it could pose problems.
