[News] Samsung Reportedly Plans Exynos Auto Exit, Prioritizes Mobile APs, Image Sensors for 2027 System LSI Turnaround
Samsung is reportedly planning to exit the automotive application processor (AP) business it has pursued since 2018. According to the report citing industry sources, once Samsung completes production under existing supply commitments to Hyundai Motor (agreement secured in 2023) and Germany's BMW (secured last year), it plans to discontinue the development and mass production of successor Exynos Auto products; this is a reported plan, not a confirmed halt. Samsung will focus its System LSI operations on image sensors and next-generation mobile APs as it seeks to return the division to full-year profit next year. The stated causes are high development costs from stringent automotive safety and durability requirements and Qualcomm's effective dominance of the automotive AP market, which makes it difficult for Samsung to gain share. The System LSI and foundry businesses have together posted annual losses totaling trillions of won. In its latest detailed update released with second-quarter results in July, Samsung said expanded sales of mobile SoCs and image sensors helped System LSI post record first-half revenue in 2026. Samsung is developing the Exynos 2700 mobile AP, scheduled to enter mass production in the fourth quarter on Samsung Foundry's second-generation 2nm process, and seeks to expand its adoption in the Galaxy S27 series due in 2027; Samsung spent KRW 7.44 trillion on mobile APs from external suppliers in the first half of 2026. Samsung also plans to expand businesses including display driver ICs (DDIs), power management ICs (PMICs), and chip design for data centers.
- Related manufacturers
- Samsung, Samsung Electronics System LSI division, Qualcomm, Hyundai Motor, BMW, Apple
- Part numbers
- Exynos AutoExynos 2700
- Impact score
- 60 / 100, medium impact