The Exynos 2600 is an advanced application processor (AP) set to be manufactured by Samsung Foundry using its state-of-the-art 2nm process node. If all proceeds as anticipated, this System on Chip (SoC) could debut in the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 series, making these devices the first smartphones to utilize a 2nm chipset.
It is widely expected that the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ will be equipped with the Exynos 2600 AP in numerous markets. However, there are also rumors suggesting that the Galaxy S26 Ultra may incorporate the Exynos 2600 in regions such as Europe and South Korea. This is a notable shift, as historically, the flagship Galaxy S Ultra models have relied on Qualcomm's chips.
Recent reports indicate that the Exynos 2600 has achieved impressive scores on Geekbench, reportedly generating results similar to those of Apple's M5 chip. The processor is said to have a single-core score of 4,217 and a multi-core score of 13,482, surpassing earlier leaked scores of 3,455 (single-core) and 11,621 (multi-core). However, it's essential to approach these claims with caution, as they have not been verified in Geekbench's official data.
The Exynos 2600 boasts a deca-core CPU configuration, structured in a 1 + 3 + 6 cluster. The Prime Core is clocked at an impressive 4.20GHz, while the three performance cores run at 3.56GHz. The remaining six cores operate at a clock speed of 2.76GHz, providing a balanced blend of performance and efficiency.
Assuming the reported scores are accurate, the Exynos 2600 would outperform the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which has single-core and multi-core scores of 2,865 and 9,487, respectively. This achievement could mark a significant turning point for Samsung Foundry, which has traditionally trailed behind TSMC, holding just 7.3% of the contract foundry market compared to TSMC's 70.2%.
Utilizing the Exynos 2600 for the majority of the Galaxy S26 lineup might also provide Samsung with financial advantages. Last year, low yield rates for the Exynos 2500 forced the company to spend an additional $400 million to procure Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chips for various regions.
In a recent poll, opinions were divided on whether consumers would consider purchasing a non-Samsung phone powered by the Exynos 2600. Approximately 70.51% expressed openness to the idea, while 19.23% were hesitant due to past experiences, and 10.26% stated they were indifferent to the processor in their phone.
It's believed that Samsung Foundry's yield rates have significantly improved since the issues that plagued the production of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Following a redesign, Qualcomm moved its flagship AP production entirely to TSMC, which has left Samsung eager to establish its reputation in the high-performance semiconductor market.
The evolution of the Exynos 2600 is remarkable, especially considering that just a few years ago, Samsung's Exynos chips were often criticized for lagging behind Qualcomm's offerings. The discontinuation of Samsung’s custom Mongoose cores in favor of more efficient designs has paved the way for a brighter future in mobile processing power.
With the Exynos 2600, Samsung is not only aiming for technological superiority but also striving to reclaim its position in the competitive smartphone chipset market. If these benchmarks hold true, the Exynos 2600 could redefine expectations for mobile processors and challenge the longstanding dominance of Apple's A-series chips.
