The Samsung Galaxy S25 and other 2025 phones could be exceptionally expensive

Samsung Galaxy S23 screen
The Samsung Galaxy S23 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

If you thought the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the OnePlus 11, and the other best Android phones were expensive, we’ve got some bad news for you – it looks like the top Androids are only going to get more pricey in 2025.

Why 2025? Well, because that’s when most phones running the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 – which will probably be announced late next year – will launch, and this could be Qualcomm’s most expensive mobile chipset yet.

This is according to Qualcomm SVP Chris Patrick, who claimed (via SamMobile) that Qualcomm expects the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will have a price increase, as the company will be attempting to deliver a chipset with “astonishing levels of performance.”

Exactly how much more expensive this chipset will be isn’t known, but any price rise could well be passed on to consumers.

Lots of phones will be affected

That’s unfortunate, because based on past form a huge number of phones will probably use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. This includes the Samsung Galaxy S25 series (in at least some regions), the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the OnePlus 13, the Xiaomi 15 line, and many others.

Notable exceptions to this will likely include the Google Pixel 10 series (if Googles 2025 phone gets called that), which is likely to use a custom Tensor chipset. And of course the iPhone 17 line, which will presumably use the A19 Pro, or whatever Apple calls its 2025 mobile chipset.

Some regions may also get Samsung Galaxy S25 models that use Exynos chipsets instead, as Samsung often uses a mix of Snapdragon and Exynos – and may well increase the number that use Exynos if the price of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is a lot higher.

In the meantime, we’ve got the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which was recently announced and is set to power many of next year’s best phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S24, but seemingly without the big price increase that’s expected for the 8 Gen 4.

You might also like

James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.

Read more
an image of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
If this Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra rumor is true, there’s no way I’ll be able to recommend it
Samsung Galaxy S24 hands on handheld back straight white
Fresh Galaxy S25 price leak could spell bad news for European Samsung fans
Samsung Galaxy S24 hands on handheld back straight white
The Samsung Galaxy S25’s best feature will probably be one you can’t see
The Samsung Galaxy S24 pictured next to the Google Pixel 9
Here's how the Samsung Galaxy S25 can beat the Google Pixel 9
Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus in all 3 primary colors, light green, light blue, and dark blue
Samsung Galaxy S25 specs: all the key specs for every model
Three-image composite; A Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Snapdragon 8 Elite graphic, and see-through iPhone 16 Pro
AI step aside – 3 ways phone hardware could finally get interesting again in 2025
Latest in Samsung Galaxy Phones
An image of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from a hands-on event
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could resurrect an intriguing camera feature
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be in line for a Galaxy S25 Ultra-level camera upgrade
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, close up on the dual camera system, against a marbled background
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is being tipped to come with a sweet Google Gemini deal
Samsung Galaxy A56 display
Samsung’s new budget handsets are getting One UI 7 before the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and I’m as confused as you are
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
New Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge may have revealed some key details – including its price
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra HANDS ON
‘I don't see a space where the S Pen is not a key part of our portfolio’: Samsung executive defends the S Pen amid cancellation rumors
Latest in News
Google Pixel 8a in aloe green showing
Google Pixel 9a benchmark link teases the performance of the upcoming mid-ranger
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #1148)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #379)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #645)
Apple iPhone 16 Pro HANDS ON
Leaked iPhone 17 dummy units may have given us our best look yet at all four models
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over