Samsung has officially launched its Exynos 2600, the company’s next‑generation flagship chipset built on Samsung Foundry’s advanced 2 nm Gate‑All‑Around (GAA) process—marking it as the first smartphone chip to use this fabrication level
What the Exynos 2600 Brings
- 2nm GAA Process: Samsung confirmed during its Q2 2025 earnings call that the Exynos 2600 will be the first mobile SoC manufactured using its 2 nm GAA node, a milestone leap ahead of competitors still using 3 nm processes
- Enhanced NPU & AI Performance: The chip offers substantial improvements in on-device AI performance thanks to its upgraded neural processing unit
- CPU & GPU Specs: Prototype benchmarks reveal a 10-core CPU (1 prime + 3 performance + 6 efficiency cores) with peak clock speeds around 3.55 GHz, paired with the Xclipse 960 GPU—claimed to be roughly 15% faster than the Adreno 830 in Snapdragon 8 Elite chips
Manufacturing Outlook & Yield Progress
Samsung began prototype mass production in June 2025, initially achieving yield rates around 30%, with targets to reach 60–70% yield by year’s end to enable full-scale manufacturing
The company has also secured a $16.5 billion chip manufacturing deal with Tesla, further validating its 2 nm process capabilities and bolstering its Foundry business credibility
Role in Galaxy S26 and Regional Strategy
- Galaxy S26 Series Integration: Exynos 2600 is expected to be featured in Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus models in markets like Europe, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra will stick with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 globally
- Strategic Comeback for Samsung’s Chip Division: After setbacks with the Exynos 2500 and its 3 nm rollout, the 2 nm Exynos 2600 represents a critical comeback opportunity for Samsung’s in-house chip business
Industry Implications
- Competitive Edge: If Exynos 2600 delivers strong real-world CPU, GPU, and power efficiency performance, Samsung could reclaim ground from Qualcomm and TSMC in flagship SoC prestige. Conversely, another underwhelming chip could hurt Samsung’s semiconductor reputation further
- Broader Foundry Adoption: Continued improvements in yield and performance may attract larger foundry clients, positioning Samsung Foundry as a viable alternative to TSMC in future mobile, automotive, and supercomputing sectors
Conclusion
Samsung’s confirmation of the Exynos 2600 as the world’s first 2 nm commercial mobile chipset is both symbolic and practical—a bold step toward reclaiming leadership in mobile silicon. With improved AI support and smartphone integration in 2026’s Galaxy S26, the chip’s success could redefine Samsung’s role in the global semiconductor landscape.
