Samsung’s Exynos 2600 Could Outperform Qualcomm Chips in Galaxy S26

SEOUL, South Korea — Samsung‘s next-generation Exynos 2600 chip is set to deliver significant performance boosts, potentially outpacing Qualcomm‘s latest offerings, according to industry analyst @Jukanlosreve. These improvements could benefit all Galaxy S26 models, contrary to earlier rumors suggesting only the base model would utilize the new chipset.

The Exynos 2600’s neural processing unit (NPU) is reportedly six times faster than the one in Apple’s A19 Pro chip, which powers the iPhone 17 Pro. This performance enhancement positions it approximately 30% ahead of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 NPU. Furthermore, the chip’s multi-core CPU performance is forecasted to be 14% higher, and its graphics processing unit (GPU) is expected to be 75% faster than A19 Pro, with a 29% advantage over the Snapdragon in graphics tasks.

Earlier speculation about the Exynos 2600 being exclusive to the Galaxy S26 base model has shifted, with leakster Ice Universe indicating that Samsung aims for a balanced distribution of the Exynos 2600 and Snapdragon chips among different regions. Reports suggest a 50/50 distribution between these processors, with Exynos destined for Europe and Korea, while Qualcomm chips are set for sellers in the U.S., China, and Japan.

This strategic pivot aligns with Samsung’s recent manufacturing agreements, indicating that its foundries will produce Snapdragon chips utilizing new technology, giving Samsung-made processors prominence across all Galaxy S26 variants.

The Galaxy S26 series appears to be undergoing several adjustments as well. Speculation remains about the introduction of new models, including a Galaxy S26 Pro and S26 Ultra, while the S26 Edge is reportedly off the table due to lackluster sales.

As the launch window approaches, scheduled for March 2026—two months later than the usual January unveiling—fans will be watching closely for benchmarks and performance evaluations of the new chipset. This could influence early adoption decisions as competitors like Apple and Qualcomm continue to evolve their own technologies.