In a bold move to stay ahead in the mobile processor race, Samsung has officially introduced the Exynos 2600, making it the world’s first 2nm smartphone chipset. This next-generation mobile processor is set to succeed the Exynos 2500 and will likely power select models of the Galaxy S26 series expected in early 2026.
With this announcement, Samsung aims to directly challenge the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, raising the stakes in both AI performance and energy efficiency.
🔧 Built on Samsung’s In-House 2nm GAA Process
As confirmed by IDC analyst Bryan Ma (@bryanbma) on X (formerly Twitter), Samsung revealed during a recent Q&A session that the Exynos 2600 will be the first flagship SoC manufactured using Samsung Foundry’s 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) technology.
This cutting-edge process promises:
- Lower power consumption
- Enhanced heat dissipation
- Higher transistor density
- Improved overall performance
For those unfamiliar, GAA technology represents the next major step beyond FinFET, offering greater control over current flow. You can read more about GAA tech on Samsung Foundry’s official blog.
🤖 On-Device AI Capabilities Get a Major Boost
The Exynos 2600 is also expected to bring a significant upgrade in Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance. Samsung hinted that the chip will offer enhanced on-device AI support, positioning it as a core component for future AI-powered Galaxy devices, from smartphones to foldables.
This aligns with the growing industry trend of integrating generative AI features directly into mobile chipsets — similar to what Google Tensor and Apple’s Neural Engine already offer.
📊 Exynos 2600 Performance Benchmarks and Specs (Leaked)
Leaked benchmarks of the Exynos 2600 recently surfaced on Geekbench, revealing the model number S5E9965. Here’s what early results show:
- Single-core score: 2,155
- Multi-core score: 7,788
- CPU Configuration:
- 1x Prime Core @ 3.55GHz
- 3x Performance Cores @ 2.96GHz
- 6x Efficiency Cores @ 2.46GHz
These scores suggest a strong multi-core performance, indicating that Samsung is closing the performance gap with Qualcomm and MediaTek.
🔥 Thermal Improvements and New Packaging Tech
Another notable enhancement is the rumored inclusion of a Heat Pass Block (HPB) — a thermal management solution embedded into the chip package alongside DRAM. This could result in lower operating temperatures, improved stability, and better battery efficiency during heavy tasks like gaming or video editing.
📱 Which Phones Will Use the Exynos 2600?
Samsung is expected to use the Exynos 2600 in some variants of the Galaxy S26 and S26+, depending on regional markets. However, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will most likely stick with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 across all regions, similar to how the Galaxy S25 Ultra used Qualcomm’s chip exclusively.
To recap:
- Galaxy S24/S24+: Exynos 2400 in select markets
- Galaxy S25 Series: Snapdragon-only across all markets
- Galaxy S26 Series: Likely to return to mixed chip strategy
This decision may also be driven by Samsung’s aim to increase chip yield utilization and profitability across its Foundry business, as stated in its Q2 2025 earnings report.
Source: Samsung Q2 2025 Financial Report
🧠 Final Thoughts: Samsung Sets the Bar for Next-Gen Smartphone SoCs
With the Exynos 2600, Samsung is making a strong statement: it’s ready to compete toe-to-toe with Qualcomm, not just in performance, but also in AI innovation and chip manufacturing. If the early benchmarks hold true, and Samsung’s GAA process delivers as promised, this could mark the beginning of a real Exynos comeback.
As AI becomes the centerpiece of mobile experiences, chipsets like the Exynos 2600 will play a vital role in shaping how smartphones evolve over the next few years.
📌 FAQs
1. What is the Exynos 2600?
The Exynos 2600 is Samsung’s next-gen flagship smartphone processor built on a 2nm GAA process, featuring enhanced AI, improved thermal design, and a 10-core CPU architecture.
2. Which phones will use the Exynos 2600?
Samsung is expected to use this chip in select Galaxy S26 and S26+ models. The S26 Ultra will likely feature a Snapdragon processor instead.
3. How does Exynos 2600 compare to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2?
While official comparisons are still pending, early leaks suggest the Exynos 2600 could offer competitive performance with stronger AI capabilities and better efficiency.
Priyanshu Raj, I have worked in social media and content writing for many years. I have also worked in WordPress website development. I am very interested in technology, especially smartphones and AI, so I created this website.
