Samsung is preparing a strong comeback for its in-house chips. The upcoming Exynos 2600, developed with a 2-nanometer process, will enter mass production in the coming weeks, according to the Korea Herald. This chip will power the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ expected in early 2026, while the S26 Ultra will retain the most powerful Snapdragon currently available.
A strategic comeback for Samsung
After abandoning the Exynos chips on the S25 series following repeated criticism over performance and efficiency, Samsung is making a determined comeback. The Korean giant has clearly doubled its efforts to develop a chip capable of competing with the top Snapdragon processors.
Early Geekbench results suggest promising performance, potentially even outperforming the current Snapdragon 8 Elite. Samsung seems intent on returning to its traditional strategy: Exynos for the standard and Plus models, with Snapdragon reserved for the Ultra.
At the heart of innovation: efficiency and AI
The technological leap is significant with the move to 2 nm, an unprecedented manufacturing process that promises revolutionary energy efficiency. Samsung has clearly made this a top priority, addressing the main criticisms of its previous chip generations.
Another key area of improvement is artificial intelligence. The Exynos 2600 features a significantly enhanced NPU (Neural Processing Unit), which Samsung says can deliver up to five times the AI performance of the previous generation. This is essential in an era where AI capabilities are central to the smartphone experience.
The credibility challenge
For Samsung, the stakes go beyond mere technical performance. The company aims to restore user trust in its in-house chips after years of unfavorable comparisons with Qualcomm solutions. The success of the Exynos 2600 could determine the future of Samsung’s semiconductor division in the mobile market.
The production set to begin in the coming weeks will be closely watched by the entire industry. It remains to be seen whether Samsung can this time balance groundbreaking innovation with operational reliability, a delicate equilibrium that proved elusive in previous attempts.
