Samsung to Prioritize In-House Exynos 2600 Chip for Galaxy S26 Series in Most Markets
SAN FRANCISCO – A recent leak indicates Samsung will equip the majority of its upcoming Galaxy S26 series smartphones worldwide with its own Exynos 2600 processor, deviating from expectations of widespread use of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite chip. the new devices-the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra-are slated for unveiling at the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 25, 2026, with sales beginning in early March.
Sources suggest Samsung intends to utilize the Exynos 2600 in regions including India, Europe, the Middle East, and much of asia, with South Korea also expected to receive the in-house chip. The USA and china are currently anticipated to be the primary markets continuing to receive Snapdragon-powered models.
Notably, even the top-tier Galaxy S26 Ultra may ship with the Exynos 2600, despite previous assumptions favoring Qualcomm’s processor for the flagship device.
This strategic shift reflects Samsung’s broader goal of increasing independence from external suppliers and strengthening control over its hardware. While offering potential cost savings and improved software integration, the performance of the Exynos 2600 relative to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite remains a key consideration, particularly given past criticisms of Exynos chips regarding efficiency and graphics capabilities. Samsung aims to deliver a considerably improved user experience with this new generation of its processor.
