Android flagships may be getting faster — but also more expensive
Qualcomm and MediaTek are reportedly preparing to go hard on TSMC’s more advanced 2nm N2P process this year, with one clear target in mind: closing the performance gap against Apple’s upcoming A20 and A20 Pro chips.
On paper, that sounds exciting. A newer manufacturing node can help chipmakers push higher clock speeds, which usually means stronger single-core and multi-core performance. For gamers, that could translate into better frame rates, smoother emulation, faster loading, and more stable performance in heavy titles like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends, and whatever next-gen mobile games start cooking our phones next.
But here’s the problem, bro: performance is only half the story. Cost might be the real boss fight.
According to the report, Qualcomm and MediaTek’s first 2nm flagship chips could cost around 20% more than today’s top-tier mobile SoCs. That is a big jump when phone brands are already dealing with tighter margins, especially with the current DRAM shortage making memory more expensive.
For Malaysia and SEA buyers, this matters because we already feel flagship pricing hard. A phone that used to sit comfortably in “expensive but still boleh consider” territory can very quickly become RM4,999, RM5,499, or worse once brands stack premium chips, more RAM, better displays, camera upgrades, and import/distribution costs into one package.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro could face adoption issues
The report points out that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 was estimated to cost around US$280 per unit. If the next premium Snapdragon chip goes even higher, smartphone makers may think twice before putting the top chip into every flagship model.
That is where the rumoured Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro may become tricky. It could be the performance monster Qualcomm wants, but if the price is too high, brands may reserve it for ultra-premium models only.
Instead, Qualcomm may lean more heavily on the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, which is expected to appear in a larger number of phones thanks to a lower price. The company is also rumoured to have a wider 2nm and 3nm lineup this year, including keeping the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 around while offering a newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 to replace the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.
That sounds like a very practical move. Not every Android flagship needs the absolute fastest chip if it makes the final phone too expensive for normal buyers.
MediaTek may face the same headache
MediaTek is reportedly in a similar position with the Dimensity 9600. A Weibo tipster, Smart Chip Insider, claims both Qualcomm and MediaTek are pushing into TSMC’s 2nm N2P process because they want to reduce Apple’s lead in chip performance.
If MediaTek’s flagship also becomes much more expensive, phone makers may be careful with adoption. MediaTek has built serious momentum in recent years because Dimensity chips can deliver strong performance without always carrying the same premium pricing perception as Snapdragon. If 2nm pushes the cost too high, that advantage becomes harder to maintain.
The report suggests MediaTek could use TSMC’s 3nm process for non-flagship chipsets to strengthen revenue outside the most expensive tier. That would make sense, especially for SEA markets where upper-midrange phones often sell better than full-fat flagships.
Why Malaysian buyers should care
For us, the key question is simple: will 2nm chips give better value, or just higher benchmark numbers?
If these chips improve gaming performance, battery efficiency, and heat management in a meaningful way, then sure, some enthusiasts will pay extra. But if the upgrade mainly exists to beat Apple on charts while phone prices climb again, many Malaysian buyers may be better off waiting for discounted previous-gen flagships or choosing upper-midrange models with more sensible pricing.
The Android chip war is getting spicy, no doubt. But in SEA, performance only wins if the price still makes sense.
Source: Wccftech Gaming