Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy Z Flip 7, expected to debut later this year as the tech giant’s next-gen foldable flagship, has stumbled in its first public performance test. The device, powered by Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2500 chipset, posted lackluster scores on Geekbench 6, sparking concern among fans and analysts about whether the company can compete with rivals like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon-powered devices.
Hype vs. Reality: Exynos 2500 Falls Short
The Exynos 2500 was touted as Samsung’s answer to Apple’s A-series and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, promising significant leaps in efficiency and raw power. However, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 prototype managed only a single-core score of 1,890 and a multi-core score of 5,210 in its inaugural Geekbench 6 test. For context, last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 devices routinely hit single-core scores above 2,200 and multi-core results nearing 7,000. Even Apple’s three-year-old A15 Bionic chip outperforms these numbers, raising questions about Samsung’s progress.
A Pattern of Underperformance?
This isn’t the first time Exynos chips have faced scrutiny. Historically, Samsung’s Exynos line has struggled to match Qualcomm’s thermal management and sustained performance, particularly in premium devices. The Z Flip 7’s scores suggest the Exynos 2500 may continue that trend, despite claims of a revamped 3nm architecture and improved AI capabilities. Industry watchers fear the chip could throttle under heavy workloads, a critical flaw for a device marketed for multitasking and gaming.
“These results are concerning, especially for a $1,000-plus foldable,” said tech analyst Marina Chen of DisplayTech Insights. “Samsung needs to prove the Exynos 2500 isn’t just a paper tiger. If these numbers hold, consumers might gravitate toward the Galaxy S25 series instead, which is rumored to stick with Snapdragon globally.”
Fan Backlash and Market Pressures
Samsung’s decision to equip the Z Flip 7 with Exynos appears driven by cost-cutting, but fans are already voicing frustration. On forums and social media, users have criticized the move, with one Reddit thread dubbing it “Galaxy Glitch 7.” Meanwhile, competitors like Google’s Pixel Fold 2 and OnePlus’ rumored foldable are expected to launch with Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chips, further pressuring Samsung to justify its Exynos gamble.
For deeper insights into the controversy, GSMGoTech’s report highlights growing skepticism among loyal Samsung users, many of whom feel the company is prioritizing margins over performance.
Samsung’s Response: Early Software to Blame?
In a statement to The Verge, Samsung downplayed the benchmarks, calling them “preliminary” and stressing that the device was running “unoptimized firmware.” The company added, “The Exynos 2500’s full potential will be unlocked closer to launch, with advancements in AI and battery efficiency that benchmarks don’t fully capture.”
While early prototypes often underperform retail units, the gap here is unusually wide. Some speculate the Z Flip 7’s compact form factor—with tighter thermal constraints—is exacerbating the Exynos 2500’s limitations. Others suggest Samsung may still switch to Snapdragon for certain markets, as it did with the S24 series.
The Foldable Factor
Foldables like the Z Flip 7 face unique challenges. Unlike slab phones, their slim designs leave little room for cooling solutions, making efficient chipsets crucial. If the Exynos 2500 can’t balance power and thermals, Samsung risks losing ground in a category it pioneered.
Bottom Line
While it’s too early to write off the Galaxy Z Flip 7, the Geekbench results are a red flag. Samsung has roughly three months to optimize the Exynos 2500 before the expected July launch. If it fails, the Z Flip 7 could become a cautionary tale—and a gift to competitors eager to dethrone the foldable king.
Stay tuned for updates as Samsung prepares its official response.
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