Key Takeaways
1. The Exynos 2600 will power the Galaxy S26 and S26+ models, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2.
2. The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for Galaxy is produced by Samsung, while the standard version is made by TSMC.
3. Samsung’s chip production strategy will feature three different chip types across its upcoming devices.
4. Cost factors influence Qualcomm’s decision to use different foundries for chip production.
5. The Exynos 2600 and Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for Galaxy may have a performance advantage due to their advanced GAA FET architecture.
As always, confusion surrounding the division between Samsung’s Exynos and Snapdragon chips is a hot topic. Although the Exynos 2500 won’t be part of the Galaxy S25 series, sources suggest that the Exynos 2600 is set to return with the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. A South Korean news outlet has added an interesting twist to the story.
Global Launch Plans
It seems that the worldwide versions of the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ (or Galaxy S26 Edge) will be equipped with the Exynos 2600. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature a Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, available in markets like the US, Japan, South Korea, and China. This approach closely mirrors Samsung’s strategy from 2024, but this time they will utilize a standard Snapdragon chip rather than a ‘For Galaxy’ edition.
Differences in Chip Production
Previous reports suggested that the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for Galaxy would be produced using Samsung’s SF2 node. On the other hand, the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is crafted at TSMC’s N3P facility. The SoC from Samsung’s Foundry won’t be ready until the second half of 2026, and it’s expected to power the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8. If this is accurate, it would mark the first lineup featuring three different chip types.
While the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 are essentially the same, their production occurs at two separate foundries. Those familiar with the industry may recall the Apple A9 SoC controversy (iPhone 6s), which led to the well-known Chipgate issue. Interestingly, Apple also sourced its chips from both TSMC and Samsung, with the TSMC version outperforming the other.
Cost Considerations
Qualcomm’s choice to repeat this scenario might appear strange initially, but it becomes clear when viewed from a cost perspective. Last year, TSMC’s 3 nm wafers were reported to cost around $18,000 each, a figure that is likely to increase as Samsung prepares to release the Galaxy S26. The Exynos 2600 and Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for Galaxy, produced on SF2, hold a theoretical edge over the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 due to their GAA FET architecture.
Source:
Link
Leave a Reply