Key Takeaways
- Samsung is considering shifting away from exclusive reliance on Qualcomm chipsets for the Galaxy S26 series, potentially using Exynos chipsets for some models.
- The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 may only be featured in the Galaxy S26 Ultra, while the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus are expected to use the Exynos 2600.
- Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon noted that Samsung's use of Qualcomm chipsets has shifted from a 50% share to around 75% in recent years.
- Sales volume predictions indicate that the distribution of Exynos and Snapdragon chipsets for the Galaxy S26 series may resemble that of the Galaxy S24 series.
- The Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra are set to be unveiled together on February 25, 2026, in San Francisco.
Every year, there's a lot of uncertainty regarding which chipsets Samsung will use in its upcoming Galaxy S flagship phones. It often appears that Samsung has been planting hints by regularly alternating between equipping all or just a few of its Galaxy S series smartphones with Exynos or Qualcomm chipsets. For example, Samsung was seen testing different models of the Galaxy S25 with the Exynos 2500 before ultimately deciding to use that chipset exclusively in the Galaxy Z Flip7 (currently priced at $1,099 on Amazon).
Possible Changes Ahead
Recently, whispers have surfaced suggesting that Samsung might shift away from relying solely on Qualcomm chipsets for the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. As we mentioned earlier this week, it looks like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 could only be featured in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. In contrast, the Exynos 2600 is said to be the chipset for the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus. Qualcomm's latest Q4 Earnings Conference Call supports this, with the company believing that Samsung and Xiaomi, among others, may prefer to use their own chipsets rather than Qualcomm’s.
Qualcomm's Insights
As has been the case in past years, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon provided more details about Samsung's use of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 series in the Galaxy S26 series. During the same earnings call, the CEO explained:
"The second part is our relationship with Samsung. We’ve mentioned for several years now -- for a number of reasons. This has been true in the past, and I think, in recent years, what was once a standard relationship at a 50% share has now become about 75% share. We consider that our new baseline. When we perform well, we sometimes exceed 75%. For the Galaxy S25, we achieved 100%. Our expectation for any new Galaxy will always be around 75%. That's how we view things for the Galaxy S26."
Sales Volume Predictions
Interestingly, ET News has elaborated on this figure, stating that the distribution of Exynos and Snapdragon chipsets for the Galaxy S26 series may return to the levels seen with the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra. Most of the Galaxy S26 series is expected to run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus are set to launch in Europe and South Korea with the Exynos 2600, which ET News estimates will account for about 30% of sales volume, differing from the 25% that Amon anticipates. In any case, Samsung is likely to reveal the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra all together on February 25, 2026, in San Francisco.
Source: Link