Samsung recently teased its new Exynos 2600 chip, but whether it will power the upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup remained unclear. A fresh report sheds some light on this uncertainty, suggesting that while all Galaxy S26 models might come equipped with the Exynos 2600, this will only apply to devices sold in South Korea. The rest of the world is expected to receive Galaxy S26 variants running Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.
Exynos 2600 to Power Galaxy S26 in South Korea
According to a report by Wccftech, Samsung has made significant improvements to the Exynos 2600 after dealing with challenges such as low production yields and overheating concerns. These issues appear largely resolved, allowing Samsung to confidently include the Exynos 2600 chipset in Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra models sold within the South Korean market. However, for international markets, Samsung is set to rely on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.
It’s important to note that Samsung has existing agreements with Qualcomm that require Snapdragon chips for Galaxy S26 shipments outside Korea. Violating these deals could lead to steep penalties for Samsung.
Performance and Market Impact
While rumors around Galaxy S26’s chipset options have been conflicting, benchmark leaks hint that the Exynos 2600 might deliver performance comparable or even superior to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5—potentially matching results close to Apple’s M5 chip. If this proves accurate, the 2 nm Exynos 2600 could become a highly competitive option in the premium smartphone segment.
Consumer Preferences
Current results indicate 60% support for purchasing based on Exynos, with 20% favoring it only if faster than Snapdragon, and another 20% against regardless of performance.
Looking Ahead
The Galaxy S26 series is anticipated to launch in early 2025, with the Exynos 2600 possibly being officially unveiled sooner. This timeline should provide clearer insights into the chip’s capabilities and the performance dynamics between the two processor options.
The Stakes for Samsung
Samsung’s foundry business and mobile division face significant pressure to deliver a high-performing Exynos chipset. Only if Exynos outperforms Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will Samsung maintain confidence in its in-house solutions. Any shortcomings risk damaging Samsung’s reputation in both markets and chipset manufacturing.
Video credit – Samsung
