Samsung is set to make a significant shift in its smartphone lineup with the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, as a recent report indicates that the company will fully embrace Exynos chips across its entire range, including the high-end Galaxy S26 Ultra. This change is largely driven by the capabilities of the new Exynos 2600 chipset, which is reported to offer remarkable performance improvements.
According to a report from Hankyung, sourced via @Jukanlosreve, the Exynos 2600 chipset is poised to deliver impressive performance metrics. The chip is said to exceed the CPU capabilities of even Apple's latest A19 Pro chipset while boasting a GPU performance that is up to 75% better. However, the standout feature of the Exynos 2600 is its Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which is reportedly six times faster than Apple's A19 Pro, signifying a substantial leap in artificial intelligence tasks.
In addition to its superior performance against Apple’s offerings, the Exynos 2600 is also said to outperform the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in both GPU and NPU performance by approximately 30%. This remarkable advancement is attributed to the chip being manufactured on Samsung's cutting-edge 2nm process, which enhances efficiency and performance. As a result, Samsung is committing to an all-in Exynos strategy for the Galaxy S26 series, marking a significant departure from its previous reliance on Snapdragon for the Ultra models.
Despite this bold move, the report also highlights that Samsung may continue to utilize Snapdragon chips for the Galaxy S26 series in the North American market. This decision appears to be aimed at ensuring compliance with local regulatory requirements. Consequently, users in the US can expect to see the Galaxy S26 series powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, rather than the Exynos 2600.
Furthermore, reports from KEDGlobal indicate that markets such as Japan and China will also receive Snapdragon-equipped versions of the Galaxy S26 series. It’s important to note that the ongoing discourse around Exynos versus Snapdragon has been characterized by fluctuations and uncertainty, making it essential for consumers to stay informed as the launch date approaches.
The Galaxy S26 series is expected to launch in January, and as the release date draws near, various speculations surrounding its features and specifications continue to emerge. Notably, reports suggest that Samsung has decided to drop the Galaxy S26 ‘Pro’ model, indicating a shift in its strategic vision to compete with Apple. Additionally, there are whispers that the Galaxy S25 Edge was not well-received, prompting Samsung to reconsider its approach to thinner phones.
In summary, the Galaxy S26 series marks a pivotal moment for Samsung as it transitions to the Exynos 2600 chipset across its lineup. While this represents a significant technological advancement, especially in AI capabilities, the potential use of Snapdragon in specific markets adds an intriguing layer of complexity to Samsung's strategy. As always, consumers are encouraged to keep an eye out for further updates as the product launch nears.
