Samsung is preparing for a major change with its next flagship series, the Galaxy S26, as the company looks to reduce its dependence on Qualcomm by reintroducing its own Exynos processor in more regions.
While the Galaxy S25 lineup exclusively used Qualcomm’s latest chip, Samsung is now betting big on a new Exynos 2600 processor, which will be built on 2-nanometer technology.
To ensure the Exynos 2600 can compete with Qualcomm's Snapdragon, Samsung has established a dedicated "Performance Improvement Task Force".
This team is responsible for:
Optimizing performance to match or exceed competitors.
Improving power efficiency to extend battery life.
Reducing production costs by shifting away from Qualcomm chips.
According to reports from Giga, the Exynos 2600 is expected to offer 12% better performance and 25% higher energy efficiency compared to its predecessor.
If successful, this shift could lower costs for consumers, but the real question remains: Will Exynos match Qualcomm’s performance?
Samsung has historically used Exynos chips in select regions, but the Galaxy S26 series could see a broader rollout.
Industry sources suggest that:
Europe, India, and the UK may receive Exynos-powered models
The U.S. could continue with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor
Samsung is expected to finalize its decision by the end of 2024.
The Big Question
One of the biggest uncertainties is whether the Galaxy S26 Ultra will also feature the Exynos 2600, or if Samsung will keep Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chip exclusively for its top-tier model.
Previously, Samsung reserved Exynos chips for the standard and Plus models, but with this new strategy, the Ultra model could also make the switch.
Mass production of the Exynos 2600 is set to begin in May 2025, and its real-world performance against Qualcomm’s next-gen chip will be a key factor in shaping Samsung’s long-term strategy.
