Snapdragon Heating Report Puts the Galaxy S27 Ultra Chip Choice in Question

Update, November 2: The chip picture has moved on since this report. Reports since then have said Samsung may use the Exynos 2700 in some Ultra models, that the Ultra might only use a Qualcomm chip, and that Qualcomm denied a report about overheating. The latest tipster claim, on October 30, says European buyers would get the Qualcomm chip. Each of these is a rumour, not a Samsung announcement. The full list in order is in our timeline.

Update, October 23: The mid October deadline for resolving the reported heating issue has passed. We have not seen an official statement from Samsung or Qualcomm confirming the outcome. Qualcomm has called the report inaccurate.

According to reports from our sources, Samsung has run into overheating problems with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 during internal testing of the Galaxy S27 Ultra. According to the report, the chip exceeded its temperature limits under sustained heavy workloads and throttled its performance. Samsung is said to have raised the issue with Qualcomm and set a mid October deadline to fix it before choosing a processor.

If the problem is not resolved, the report says Samsung is ready to use its own Exynos 2700 instead, which internal testing suggests performs about the same or slightly better. Qualcomm has rejected the report, with its marketing chief calling it "100% NOT accurate". Samsung has not commented publicly, and no independent testing on a finished retail device has been shared.

Why the chip choice matters

The Ultra has used a Snapdragon chip in most markets for several generations, and Samsung has a history of switching between Snapdragon and Exynos chips depending on the region and the model. A change to Exynos would be a big deal for buyers who expect the Snapdragon performance and software support that the Ultra has carried in the past, and it would make the S27 Ultra different from region to region.

Heat is the practical concern. Sustained throttling affects long gaming sessions, video recording and camera processing, which is where the Ultra is most often used. A report of throttling during testing is worth watching, but on its own it is not proof of a final problem, because early hardware and final retail hardware can behave differently.

What to watch next

The next useful signal will be Samsung's processor decision for the S27 Ultra, which normally becomes clear as the phone moves through certification and early builds. The Galaxy S27 series is expected in early 2027. Until Samsung says something official, the Snapdragon versus Exynos question should be treated as an open rumor rather than a settled fact.