In a shocking move, Samsung‘s Galaxy S26 series—including the flagship Ultra model—may exclusively use the powerful Exynos 2600 chip globally, marking the first time since 2022 that the Ultra tier abandons Snapdragon. This bold decision comes as leaked benchmarks reveal Samsung’s homegrown chip outperforms both Apple and Qualcomm’s best offerings.
Galaxy S26 Ultra May Ditch Snapdragon for Exynos 2600
The Exynos 2600 reportedly delivers slightly better CPU performance than Apple’s A19 Pro chip, with GPU performance up to 75% faster and an AI NPU that’s 6 times faster than Apple’s silicon. Compared to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Exynos 2600 edges ahead by approximately 30% in both GPU and NPU performance. Built on Samsung’s cutting-edge 2nm process, this represents a major milestone for Samsung’s semiconductor division.
Performance Comparison
| Chipset | CPU vs A19 Pro | GPU vs A19 Pro | NPU vs A19 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exynos 2600 | Slightly faster | 75% faster | 6x faster |
| Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | N/A | 30% slower* | 30% slower* |
| A19 Pro (Apple) | Baseline | Baseline | Baseline |
*Compared to Exynos 2600
Regional Exceptions
However, US, Japan, and China markets will likely still receive Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S26 models to ensure smooth local regulatory approvals. This regional split has been Samsung’s strategy for years with base and Plus models, but extending it to the Ultra tier represents a significant shift.
The Galaxy S26 lineup is expected to launch in January 2026. Remember, Exynos versus Snapdragon rumors often fluctuate before launch, so approach this with cautious optimism. For more tech updates, visit Tech2Sports.
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FAQs
Will the US Galaxy S26 Ultra have Exynos 2600?
No, US models will likely stick with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for regulatory reasons.
When does the Galaxy S26 series release?
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup is expected to launch in January 2026.
