Galaxy S22 series could have Snapdragon in India (Update: Confirmed)

Update, February 9, 2022 (12:35 PM ET): Now that the Samsung Galaxy S22 series is official, we can 100% confirm the rumor described below is true. If you buy a Galaxy S22 device in India, you will receive the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 model, not the Exynos 2200 model.

Original article, February 7, 2022 (12:43 PM ET): For most launches of new Samsung flagships, buyers in India have had to deal with Exynos-based devices. While flagship Exynos chips are certainly not terrible, they usually are weaker in multiple respects when compared to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips.

This year, though, things might be a little different. According to a new rumor originating from Ishan Agarwal (via PriceBaba), the Samsung Galaxy S22 India launch could include Snapdragon models. If this pans out, it would mean Indian buyers could grab a Galaxy S22 with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 under the hood.

See also: Everything you need to know about Samsung’s Exynos chips

While Samsung has pushed plenty of its devices to India with Snapdragon chips under the hood, this would be the first in a long time for a Galaxy S device, at least at launch. The Galaxy S20 FE, for example, eventually landed in India with a Snapdragon 865, but that was months after it launched.

This rumor puts another nail in the coffin for Samsung’s Exynos 2200. Samsung has been uncharacteristically vague about the new chip, which is usually a bad sign. If this rumor proves true and the Samsung Galaxy S22 India models have a Snapdragon chip, it would be further evidence that Samsung isn’t too confident about its latest product.

Samsung will officially launch the Galaxy S22 series on February 9. On or around that date, we’ll find out how true this rumor is.