Copyright Android Headlines
The long-running saga over which engine will power Samsung’s next big phone, the Galaxy S26 lineup, finally seems to have a clear answer. A new report claims that Samsung has finalized its chipset strategy for the Galaxy S26 series: the firm will lean heavily on Qualcomm’s silicon while simultaneously bringing its in-house Exynos processor back into the flagship game, albeit in a limited capacity. The latest information comes from the South Korean media outlet ET News. The report states that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip will be present in approximately 70% of Galaxy S26 devices. Samsung’s own Exynos 2600 will fill the remaining 30%. These figures are quite close to Qualcomm’s estimate of 75% of S26 units being powered by Snapdragon SoCs. Samsung locks in mixed chip strategy for Galaxy S26 lineup For the most premium model, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Qualcomm’s dominance is absolute. This device will boast of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip in all markets worldwide. This represents a considerable win for Qualcomm and acknowledges strong consumer preference for Snapdragon performance in flagship devices. However, things get mixed for the standard Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy S26+ models. These phones will receive the Exynos 2600 in most international markets, including Europe and Korea. Some markets, such as the United States, on the other hand, will get a Snapdragon-powered version of these same devices. Why the limit on Exynos? Despite what most may think, it is not due to their capabilities. The decision to restrict the Exynos 2600’s availability reportedly comes down to manufacturing constraints. While the chip offers satisfying performance—thanks to new heat management technology—its supply faces limitations due to an insufficient yield rate at Samsung Foundry’s new 2nm fabrication process. Still, for Exynos chips, this partial inclusion marks a crucial step back into the Galaxy S series. Ultimately, Samsung’s mixed-chip strategy for the Galaxy S26 is a juggling act. They aim to advance their internal 2nm foundry technology while still meeting the massive global demand for reliable, high-volume performance from their key partner, Qualcomm. This approach confirms that the familiar dual-chip system is very much alive and well. Plus, it opens the door to greater inclusion of Exynos chips in Galaxy S devices in the coming years.
