Exynos 2600 to Power Only One Galaxy S26 Variant

Samsung has started mass production of its new Exynos 2600 processor. The chip is slated for use in the upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup. This marks a significant return for Samsung’s in-house chipset division.

The move signals a major strategic shift for the tech giant. According to a report from The Bell, production timelines have been accelerated due to better-than-expected manufacturing yields.

Exynos 2600 Chipset Built on Advanced 2nm Process

The Exynos 2600 is being fabricated on Samsung Foundry’s first-generation 2nm process node. This advanced manufacturing technology is known as SF2. It represents the company’s third-generation process to use Gate-All-Around transistor architecture.

This new node promises substantial improvements over previous generations. It is reported to offer 12% higher performance and 25% greater power efficiency compared to the second-generation 3nm process.

The chip’s design was handled by Samsung’s System LSI division. Wafer input has recently commenced, with fab-out expected by late October or early November. Samsung is closely monitoring production to stabilize the new chip and its fabrication process.

Limited Deployment Strategy for New Processor

The Exynos 2600 will reportedly see limited use within the Galaxy S26 series. Current information suggests it will power only the base Galaxy S26 Pro model. This represents a more cautious approach compared to previous Exynos deployments.

Based on Samsung’s historical patterns, the chip will likely appear in European and South Korean variants. Some Asian markets may also receive devices with the Exynos 2600. This regional strategy has been consistently employed by the company for years.

In other key markets, including North America and China, a different chip will be used. The Galaxy S26 Edge and Ultra models are expected to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset globally. This bifurcated chipset strategy aims to optimize performance across different regions.

High-Stakes Performance Battle Ahead

The Exynos 2600 enters a highly competitive flagship processor market. It will compete directly with Apple’s A19 series, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500, and Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon silicon. All competing chips are manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process.

The technical specifications reveal an interesting hybrid approach. The chip uses the same Arm C1 CPU cores as the MediaTek Dimensity 9500. However, its GPU utilizes AMD’s RDNA architecture instead of Arm’s Immortalis design.

This combination could provide a unique performance profile. Industry observers are particularly interested to see if the 2nm process delivers superior power efficiency. The final performance will determine the chip’s market reception.

The success of the Exynos 2600 is crucial for Samsung’s mobile future. Its performance could redefine the company’s chipset strategy for years to come. The upcoming Galaxy S26 series will be the ultimate test for this new silicon.

Info at your fingertips

Which Galaxy S26 model will use the Exynos 2600 chip?

Reports indicate only the base Galaxy S26 Pro model will feature the Exynos 2600. The Galaxy S26 Edge and Ultra models are expected to use a Snapdragon chip globally. This represents a limited deployment strategy.

What manufacturing process does the Exynos 2600 use?

The chip uses Samsung Foundry’s first-generation 2nm process node. This advanced SF2 technology uses Gate-All-Around transistor architecture. It promises significant performance and efficiency gains.

How does the Exynos 2600 compare to competing chips?

It will compete with Apple’s A19, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The key differentiator is Samsung’s 2nm process versus TSMC’s 3nm process used by competitors. Real-world performance comparisons await official benchmarks.

Where will the Exynos 2600 Galaxy S26 be sold?

The chip will likely be available in European and South Korean markets. Some Asian countries may also receive this variant. North American and Chinese models will probably use Snapdragon chips instead.

Why is Samsung’s yield percentage important?

Yields refer to the percentage of functional chips produced. Reports indicate yields have surpassed 50%, meaning over half the chips pass quality tests. Higher yields lead to better production efficiency and lower costs.