Samsung appears ready to change the playbook for its next entry-level phone. The Galaxy A18 is reportedly moving away from Exynos entirely, with both the 4G and 5G versions taking different chipset paths.
According to ZDNet Korea, the Galaxy A18 4G is expected to use a MediaTek chip, while the Galaxy A18 5G will be powered by Qualcomm. The exact chipset names have not been revealed, but the strategy shift is already clear.
A cleaner split than Galaxy A17
The move stands out because the Galaxy A17 took a different approach. Samsung paired the 4G model with MediaTek’s Helio G99, while the 5G version used Exynos 1330.
With the Galaxy A18, Samsung is now said to be replacing Exynos with Qualcomm on the 5G side and keeping MediaTek for the 4G model. That makes the new generation look less like a minor refresh and more like a deliberate reset in chipset sourcing.
Production plans point to the 4G model first
The same report says Samsung plans to launch the Galaxy A18 4G before the 5G version. Production of the 4G model is expected to begin in August, while the 5G model will follow later depending on Qualcomm’s readiness.
Samsung is also preparing aggressive production volumes for the 4G variant. The company is said to be targeting 100,000 units in August, then 2.4 million units in September and 2.5 million units in October.
| Model | Expected Chipset Partner | Production Timing | Reported Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy A18 4G | MediaTek | Production starts in August | 100,000 in August, 2.4 million in September, 2.5 million in October |
| Galaxy A18 5G | Qualcomm | Starts after Qualcomm is ready | Not disclosed |
Those numbers are not necessarily final, as the production schedule may still change based on market conditions. Even so, the scale suggests Samsung is preparing the 4G model as the first major push in the lineup.
Early signs already point to the device
Firmware testing has also offered an early clue that development is underway. The Galaxy A18 4G has been spotted with the model number SM-A185F in Samsung firmware test files on a European server.
That discovery strengthens the view that the 4G version is already progressing through internal testing. By contrast, public details on the 5G model remain much thinner.
For now, Samsung has not confirmed the display, camera, battery, or memory configuration for either model. The most notable development is not the hardware list, but the company’s changing approach to chipset selection in the affordable segment.
That approach may be driven by cost considerations. In a price-sensitive category, chipset choice has a direct effect on pricing, margins, and how a phone competes against rivals.
Using MediaTek and Qualcomm instead of Exynos could give Samsung more flexibility in supply planning. It may also help the company adjust production volumes more easily across different markets, depending on demand.
The bigger picture is a clear departure from the previous generation. Samsung is no longer following the same 4G-and-5G split it used for the Galaxy A17, and the Galaxy A18 now appears set to move in a different direction entirely.
For buyers waiting on an affordable Galaxy A-series phone, the chipset change may end up mattering as much as the rest of the specifications. The release order, supply timing, and processor partners now look like the main story around the Galaxy A18.
