Samsung Exynos Returns to Galaxy S26 Flagships
Samsung is signaling a significant strategic shift for its premium smartphone line, hinting at a major return for its in-house processors. During its recent earnings call, the company’s System LSI Business confirmed plans to “strengthen the competitiveness of the Exynos processor for key flagship models” in 2026, strongly suggesting that the upcoming Exynos 2600 chipset will power the flagship Galaxy S26 series. This statement, while light on explicit details, confirms Samsung’s intent to make its own silicon a core component of its highest-tier devices moving forward, broadening its market presence across the globe.
This news aligns with several industry rumors indicating that the Exynos 2600 is poised to become the main, and potentially the only, System on a Chip (SoC) for the entire Galaxy S26 lineup, which includes the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Rumors circulating within the industry are bullish on the processor’s technical capabilities, claiming the Exynos 2600 offers better CPU performance than Apple’s latest A19 Pro chipset and boasts a GPU performance increase of up to 75% compared to the previous Exynos generation. Furthermore, this new Exynos chip is rumored to be 30% more effective than its primary competitor’s latest SoC.
A full “takeover” of the Galaxy S26 line would represent a historic moment for the chipmaker. This move would reverse the strategy of the Galaxy S22, S23, S24, and S25 generations, where the high-end Galaxy Ultra model often exclusively used Snapdragon chips, particularly in key markets. Bringing the supposedly top-tier Exynos 2600 to the Galaxy S26 Ultra would mark the first time since 2022 that Samsung’s own silicon has powered the highest-end flagship device in all key global markets, unifying the experience for users in Southeast Asia and beyond.
THIS IS Our Take
The Exynos comeback story is finally reaching its climax, and this time, Samsung is not messing around. By teasing the Exynos 2600 for key flagship models, they are essentially putting the entire mobile industry on notice: the era of the two-chip strategy—where the best phones often received the competing chip—is likely ending. If the rumors about the Exynos 2600’s performance hold true, especially the huge gains in GPU power, this move isn’t just about saving money; it’s about claiming total technological supremacy. Qualcomm and Apple should definitely be nervous, because Samsung just pulled out the big guns for the Galaxy S26.
origin: 9to5google
