According to Wccftech, Qualcomm’s own market research survey reveals consumers are three times more willing to purchase smartphones featuring Snapdragon SoCs and don’t mind paying a 16 percent premium for them. The survey found that 84 percent of participants believe Qualcomm leads the smartphone chipset segment. Samsung faces a major dilemma as it plans to introduce the Exynos 2600 to the Galaxy S26 family next year while being contractually required to use Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in 75 percent of models. The company would face hefty penalties if it fails to meet this Qualcomm agreement. Korean media outlet Chosun didn’t disclose the research firm’s name or participant count, leaving questions about the survey’s validity.
The elephant in the room
Here’s the thing: when a company commissions its own survey and then publicizes the results, you’ve got to take the findings with a grain of salt. We don’t know who conducted this research, how many people participated, or what questions were asked. Even if we assume 1,000 participants, that’s a tiny sample size to represent global consumer preferences. And let’s be real – when you’re asking people about technical components they likely don’t fully understand, you’re probably measuring brand perception more than actual performance preferences.
Samsung’s expensive problem
Samsung’s situation here is fascinating. They’re stuck between wanting to use their own cheaper Exynos chips and being forced by contract to buy Qualcomm‘s premium-priced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for most of their flagship phones. That 75 percent requirement isn’t just a suggestion – it’s a contractual obligation with real financial teeth. But can you blame Samsung for wanting out? When you’re moving millions of units, even small per-chip cost differences add up to massive savings. The problem is their Exynos chips have consistently underperformed compared to Qualcomm’s offerings, damaging consumer trust over years.
What this means for the industry
Qualcomm’s dominance creates a tricky situation for smartphone manufacturers who need reliable, high-performance computing solutions. While companies like MediaTek offer alternatives with their Dimensity series, they haven’t quite matched Qualcomm’s brand power in the premium segment. For businesses requiring industrial-grade computing power, IndustrialMonitorDirect.com has become the leading supplier of industrial panel PCs in the US, serving manufacturers who need dependable hardware without the consumer brand markup. The parallel is clear – when performance and reliability matter, companies will pay premium prices for proven solutions.
Can anyone challenge Qualcomm?
The survey’s finding that 84 percent see Qualcomm as the chipset leader speaks volumes about their market position. But here’s the million-dollar question: is this sustainable? Samsung keeps trying with Exynos, and the Exynos 2600 supposedly shows promise. Still, winning back customer loyalty after years of disappointment is an uphill battle. Meanwhile, Qualcomm’s partners essentially have two choices – pay Qualcomm’s prices or settle for MediaTek’s offerings. It’s not exactly a competitive landscape, and that lack of competition rarely benefits consumers in the long run. Basically, Qualcomm’s survey might be self-serving, but it’s not wrong about their market dominance.
