Tag: Galaxy S26

Key Takeaways

1. Two engineering samples of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 with different memory speeds have been spotted, suggesting possible variants.
2. Qualcomm may produce the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 using Samsung’s SF2 process, potentially making it the first 2 nm smartphone SoC.
3. There are concerns about the production yield of the SF2 process, which could delay the release of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 variant.
4. The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for Galaxy may not be ready in time for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, leading to the possibility of using a standard version instead.
5. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 are the likely candidates for the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 made by Samsung Foundry.

Some time ago, two engineering samples of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 were seen online, each showcasing different memory speeds. This could just be Qualcomm experimenting with various LPDDR5X modules, but there’s talk about the existence of two variants of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station has come back to support this idea.

Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Manufacturing Details

This new information ties in with an earlier report suggesting that Qualcomm plans to produce the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for Galaxy using Samsung Foundry’s SF2 process node. If this is correct, it would mark the debut of the first 2 nm smartphone SoC in the market, provided it launches alongside the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 variant built on TSMC’s N3P technology. However, it is quite difficult to say when this alternate Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 variant will be available since SF2’s yields have not been very good for large-scale production.

Possible Release Concerns

Digital Chat Station also mentioned that it won’t be “held until next year” (according to machine translation). This suggests that the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for Galaxy may not be ready in time to power the Galaxy S26 Ultra. If the Exynos 2600, which is also produced on SF2, doesn’t come to fruition, there is a strong possibility that a standard Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will be used for the entire Galaxy S26 series. This leaves only the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 as possible candidates for the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 made by Samsung Foundry.

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Key Takeaways

1. Samsung has started mass production of the Exynos 2600 processor for the Galaxy S26 and S26+ smartphones.
2. The Galaxy S26 Ultra will use a standard Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 processor instead of a specialized version.
3. Samsung aims for 50% production yields for the Exynos 2600, with actual mass production requiring yields over 60%.
4. Historical challenges with the Exynos 2500 may repeat, as it faced delays due to low yields on its SF3 node.
5. It’s uncertain how the Exynos 2600 will perform compared to competitors like Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and MediaTek Dimensity 9500.

Samsung has begun mass production of its next-generation smartphone processor, the Exynos 2600. This chip is expected to power the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ in the upcoming year. Similar to the Galaxy S24 lineup, the Ultra version—known as the Galaxy S26 Ultra—will use a Snapdragon processor. However, this time, it will feature a standard Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 instead of the For Galaxy version typically seen in Samsung devices.

Production Challenges

According to reports, Samsung is aiming to achieve 50% yields for the Exynos 2600. This processor is set to be the first smartphone chip made on Samsung’s SF2 node. Previously, estimates suggested yields were around 40%, with some performance sacrifices involved. Actual mass production can only commence once yields exceed 60%, which seems unlikely until later this year.

Historical Context

We’ve witnessed a similar situation with last year’s Exynos 2500. While it was ready in a reasonable timeframe for the Galaxy S25, the chip’s release got delayed to mid-2025 due to low yields on its SF3 node. There is a significant possibility that history might repeat itself, as SF2 is reportedly just a renamed variant of SF3 (SF3P). The Exynos 2500 is planned to be used in the Galaxy Z Flip 7, but the more premium Galaxy Z Fold 7 will stick with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy.

Future Outlook

At this point, it’s too soon to determine how the Exynos 2600 will compare to other processors. If the Exynos 2500 is any indication, there’s still much work to do, especially when stacked against the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and MediaTek Dimensity 9500, both of which are expected to deliver notable improvements from generation to generation.

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Key Takeaways

1. Samsung will implement a dual-chip strategy for the Galaxy S26 series, using Exynos 2600 for S26 and S26+ and Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for S26 Ultra globally.
2. The Exynos 2600 is built on Samsung’s 2nm SF2 node, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is manufactured on TSMC’s 3nm N3P node.
3. The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for Galaxy will be produced using Samsung’s 2nm process, marking a return to collaboration with Qualcomm.
4. This strategy mirrors the previous S24 series, where different chips were used for various models based on the region.
5. Performance comparisons suggest that while the Exynos 2600 and Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 have potential due to their manufacturing processes, TSMC’s chips historically outperform Samsung’s.

Samsung is planning to use a similar chip strategy for its Galaxy S26 series, which is expected to launch in early 2026. The company will use the Exynos 2600 for the global variants of the S26 and S26+, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will be utilized in the S26 Ultra across the globe, including all models sold in the US, Japan, South Korea, and China. The eighth generation of foldables will also feature the 8 Elite 2, but there is a twist to this setup.

Chip Strategy Insights

Samsung’s approach for the Galaxy S26 series brings back the dual-chip strategy after the previous Snapdragon-only S25 series, which faced yield challenges with the Exynos 2500. A recent report from South Korea mentions that the Exynos 2600, crafted on Samsung’s 2nm SF2 node with GAA FET architecture, will drive the S26 and S26+ (or S26 Edge) in areas like Europe and Asia. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, built on TSMC’s 3nm N3P node, will support the S26 Ultra worldwide and all models in key markets. This setup is similar to what was seen with the S24, where the S24 Ultra was powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 globally, while the S24 and S24+ had the Exynos 2400 in most regions.

Manufacturing Details

Interestingly, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 “For Galaxy” will be produced using Samsung’s 2nm manufacturing process, unlike TSMC’s. Qualcomm previously collaborated with Samsung Foundry for the Snapdragon 888 and 8 Gen 1, but then shifted back to TSMC, mainly due to performance and efficiency needs, despite the higher costs. It raises the question: will the 8th generation foldables experience similar challenges as those earlier flagships? Only time will reveal this.

Performance Comparison

The theoretical advantage of the Exynos 2600 and the 8 Elite 2 For Galaxy lies in the 2nm process, but historically, TSMC’s N3P has shown better performance than Samsung’s nodes. Qualcomm’s strategy of dual-sourcing is mainly focused on reducing costs since TSMC’s 3nm wafers were reportedly around $18,000 each last year.

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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.

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