Samsung has been working in the direction of the Exynos 2600 chipset for a really very long time. The corporate’s foundry confronted a variety of challenges throughout 2024 earlier than lastly having the ability to stabilize the three nm manufacturing course of. Samsung instantly started work on its 2 nm processes in order that it might prepared the Exynos 2600 in time for the Galaxy S26 telephones.
After having been compelled to equip your complete Galaxy S25 lineup with Snapdragon as an alternative of the Exynos 2500 as deliberate, Samsung is decided to debut its new chipset subsequent yr. Nevertheless, some studies from contained in the trade, in addition to a choice by Samsung, make me suppose that the corporate is aware of that its chips will nonetheless fall behind.
Galaxy S26 Extremely won’t use Exynos
Samsung has reportedly deliberate on not utilizing the Exynos 2600 within the Galaxy S26 Extremely no matter area. Each time this has occurred earlier than, like with the Galaxy S24 Extremely, it was so Samsung might present the “Extremely” expertise in all places and guarantee a aggressive providing. Moreover, Galaxy telephones geared up with Exynos chips have traditionally underperformed in comparison with their Snapdragon alternate options.If Samsung just isn’t going to make use of the Exynos 2600 for the Galaxy S26 Extremely, then it appears very doubtless that the corporate’s personal chipset continues to be inferior to the competitors. Rumor has it that Samsung’s 2 nm chips carry out barely worse than TSMC’s (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Firm) 3 nm counterparts.
If that’s the case, then it is sensible that Samsung would chorus from utilizing the Exynos 2600 for the Galaxy S26 Extremely. However the common shopper can’t actually inform the distinction, so what’s the issue?
Exynos 2600 must excel for the long run
The common consumer doesn’t take note of slight efficiency benefits. | Picture credit score — Samsung
Samsung has spent some huge cash to make it possible for Exynos can exchange Snapdragon. There was a time throughout final yr when it appeared like Samsung Foundry was doomed to close down. The restoration has been thrilling to see, however the firm wants outcomes yesterday.
Apple and Samsung are ditching Qualcomm, as each corporations have their very own visions for the long run. Samsung’s plans embrace investing closely into Exynos in order that the Galaxy telephones by no means need to resort to Snapdragon once more. That is one thing that I’m closely in favor of as a result of I need to see Samsung’s units undergo the identical revolution that Apple’s merchandise did with Apple silicon.
Nevertheless, the Exynos 2600 must impress the techies. It wants optimistic publicity so that buyers’ knee-jerk destructive reactions to the phrase “Exynos” can begin to fade. I’m already involved after the information concerning the S26 Extremely, and I can solely hope that Samsung is aware of what it’s doing.
If the Exynos 2600 mirrors its predecessors with much less environment friendly energy draw, heating issues, and decrease efficiency scores, then it should solely make Samsung’s struggles infinitely worse. Samsung will query its useful resource allotment to Exynos, and the general public will as soon as once more elevate their pitchforks on the firm.
Exynos isn’t prone to be canned any time quickly on account of how costly Snapdragon is, but when it doesn’t carry out prefer it ought to, it’ll undoubtedly imply tougher instances for Samsung Foundry.
All of it hinges on the Galaxy S26
Folks aren’t a fan of spending the identical sum of money for a worse product — shocker, I do know — even when they will’t really inform the distinction. After the developments of those previous couple of years, it appears to me like your complete way forward for Exynos is determined by the way it performs subsequent yr.
If the Exynos variants of the Galaxy S26 are as succesful because the Snapdragon ones, then it’ll usher in a golden age for Samsung Foundry. However, retaining in thoughts the choice Samsung has made for the S26 Extremely, I feel we are able to moderately guess what the Exynos 2600 goes to truly carry out like.
I might like to be confirmed unsuitable, although.
