According to tech giant Samsung, its next-generation mobile processor, the Exynos 2600, has made headlines as the world’s first processor developed using 2nm manufacturing technology. Officially confirmed during the company’s Q2 2025 earnings call, the Exynos 2600 brings significant innovations in both performance and energy efficiency. This mobile chip is expected to debut with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Pro and S26 Edge models, aiming to raise the bar in everything from graphics performance to on-device AI processing capabilities.
Samsung Confirms Exynos 2600 Will Be Manufactured with 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) Process
According to Samsung’s statement, the Exynos 2600 chip will be produced using the company’s advanced 2nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) manufacturing process. This technology allows chips to consume less power while delivering higher performance. It’s expected that this manufacturing advantage will give Samsung a competitive edge in the mobile processor market. Moreover, this architecture is designed to manage overheating and improve thermal efficiency within devices.
The chip's core structure is also impressive:
- One prime core running at 3.55 GHz
- Three performance cores running at 2.96 GHz
- Six efficiency cores running at 2.46 GHz
This 1+3+6 layout brings the total to a 10-core CPU, designed to deliver high speed during multitasking while minimizing energy consumption for lighter tasks, balancing overall device performance.
Additionally, the Exynos 2600 will feature a new cooling system called Heat Path Block (HPB). This technology enables more effective heat distribution and reduces the risk of overheating during prolonged high-performance usage.
Exynos 2600: The First 2nm Chip Will Debut with the Galaxy S26 Series
The new chip will make its debut with the Galaxy S26 series. Specifically, it is expected to power the S26 Pro and S26 Edge models. This will allow users to experience devices with both next-gen mobile performance and energy efficiency.
Samsung's goal goes beyond just hardware improvements — the company is also aiming to lead in on-device artificial intelligence technologies. The Exynos 2600 includes a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that ensures privacy-preserving, on-device AI operations while offering faster and more efficient processing capabilities. This will be especially beneficial in features like cameras and voice assistants.
On the graphics side, the Exynos 2600 is also highly ambitious. Its Xclipse 960 GPU, developed in partnership with AMD, is optimized for high frame rates and lower latency in next-gen gaming. It is expected to outperform Qualcomm’s Adreno 830 (featured in the Snapdragon 8 Elite) by approximately 15%, giving users a significant boost in graphics performance.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Will Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Chipset
Despite these strategic moves, it’s reported that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset. This decision likely reflects global market demands and supply chain considerations.
While the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 offers strong performance, the Exynos 2600 is expected to be more widely adopted in European and Asian markets. With this dual-chip approach, Samsung aims to support its in-house processor while maintaining its strategic partnership with Qualcomm.
