Reputable leaker Yogesh Brar has shared some news regarding the processor that may be used in the much-anticipated Galaxy S25 Slim, suggesting it might not meet earlier expectations.
Initially, rumors and leaks surrounding the ultra-slim Galaxy S25 Slim excited many of us, but as more information comes to light from various sources, it appears the device may not be as intriguing as we once thought.
The phone was first reported to be delayed until May, meaning it likely won’t debut alongside the Galaxy S25 models at the upcoming Unpacked event. Additionally, there are indications that it might not even be available in the US.
The leaker also confirms earlier rumors that the Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 will utilize this chip as well. Meanwhile, leaked Geekbench results indicate that the 7-core SoC is approximately 14% slower in multi-core performance (as reported by TecnNetBook), which is to be expected since it has only 7 cores.
The multi-core test evaluates the chip’s effectiveness in multitasking or running resource-intensive games that require multiple processes to function simultaneously.
However, the performance difference in real-world usage may not be significant. It’s important to note that the 7-core Snapdragon 8 Elite is still a flagship chip and should outperform many other mobile processors. Nonetheless, a downgrade remains a downgrade, and with additional rumors about the Galaxy S25 Slim or Special Edition—such as a smaller battery and limited availability in the US—our excitement seems to be diminishing.
The 7-core Snapdragon 8 Elite version is expected to be used in the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip 7 foldable phones coming this summer, and it may also power the Galaxy S25 Slim.
This chip should offer greater power efficiency, helping to keep the slim device cooler during demanding tasks, but it could also be slightly slower than the standard 8 Elite. Brar notes that the first phone to feature this chip will likely be the Oppo Find N5 (or OnePlus Open 2).
It was previously thought that this thin foldable would use the regular 8 Elite, but it now seems to be shifting to the 7-core variant, so we should soon have clarity on its performance. Earlier, we heard about a potential reduction in battery size for the slim model, and a subsequent leak showed it alongside other Galaxy S25 devices, prompting some to question its purpose, especially if it isn’t significantly slimmer.
Now, Yogesh Brar has some somewhat disappointing updates: the Galaxy S25 Slim (or Special Edition, depending on the final name) may feature the 7-core Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which is missing one core compared to the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Although Brar does not explicitly state that this information pertains to Samsung’s devices, it is likely given prior leaks.
If the leak is accurate and the S25 Slim is indeed equipped with a 7-core chip, it would clarify its previously reported underwhelming performance, which we initially attributed to the device being an early prototype.
The S25 Slim was anticipated to rival the rumored iPhone 17 Air—a slim variant in the 17 series meant to replace the iPhone 17 Plus—in the realm of stylish flagship devices. However, with each new leak, this prospect seems increasingly unlikely.
Additionally, the phone might not even be released in the US, which raises the possibility that the iPhone could take the title of the best slim flagship of 2025 (if it is released, that is).
