In a significant leap for mobile silicon, Samsung has officially announced the Exynos 2600, a flagship processor that marks the industry's first transition to a 2-nanometer manufacturing process. This new chip, expected to power the upcoming Galaxy S26 series in many regions, promises substantial gains in performance, efficiency, and thermal management—areas where its predecessors have faced criticism. The announcement, made on December 19, 2025, signals Samsung's aggressive push to reclaim leadership in the high-stakes mobile processor arena.
A Foundational Leap to 2nm and GAA Transistors
The cornerstone of the Exynos 2600's advancement is its manufacturing process. Samsung Foundry has built this chip on a 2nm node utilizing Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistor architecture. This represents a fundamental shift from the FinFET design still used by competitors like Qualcomm. In a GAA design, the transistor's gate material surrounds the channel on all four sides, which significantly reduces current leakage and improves control over the flow of electricity. The result is a chip that can deliver more computational power while consuming less energy, a critical balance for modern smartphones that handle intensive tasks like gaming and on-device AI.
Exynos 2600 Key Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Process Node | 2nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) |
| CPU Cores | 10-core (1+3+6) Arm v9.3 |
| CPU Clock Speeds | 1x C1-Ultra @ 3.8GHz, 3x C1-Pro @ 3.25GHz, 6x C1-Pro @ 2.75GHz |
| GPU | Xclipse 960 (codenamed Juno) @ ~985MHz |
| AI NPU | 113% claimed performance increase vs. predecessor |
| ISP Support | Up to 320MP camera, 8K/30fps, 4K/120fps video |
| Memory/Storage | LPDDR5X, UFS 4.1 |
| Key Technologies | Heat Path Block (HPB), Exynos Neural Super Sampling (ENSS), Arm SME2 |
| Claimed Gains | Up to 39% better CPU performance, 50% better ray tracing, 2x GPU compute |
Redesigned CPU Architecture for Sustained Performance
Samsung has completely overhauled the CPU configuration for the Exynos 2600. Departing from traditional designs that include low-power "little" cores, the new chip features a 10-core setup based on Arm's latest v9.3 architecture. It employs a 1+3+6 configuration: one prime "C1-Ultra" core clocked at 3.8GHz, three high-performance "C1-Pro" cores at 3.25GHz, and six efficiency-focused "C1-Pro" cores at 2.75GHz. Samsung claims this new structure delivers up to a 39% improvement in CPU performance over the previous Exynos 2500. The inclusion of support for Arm's SME2 (Scalable Matrix Extension 2) instructions is designed to accelerate machine learning tasks directly on the device, reducing latency for AI features.
Enhanced Graphics and AI with the Xclipse 960 GPU
For graphics, the Exynos 2600 integrates the new Xclipse 960 GPU, developed in collaboration with AMD. Samsung states it offers double the compute performance of its predecessor and a 50% improvement in ray tracing capabilities, aiming for more realistic lighting and shadows in games. A notable debut is Samsung's Exynos Neural Super Sampling (ENSS) technology. This AI-driven feature uses upscaling and frame generation to enhance visual fidelity and smoothness in gameplay without a major penalty on battery life. The dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) has also received a major upgrade, with Samsung touting a 113% increase in AI performance to enable larger generative AI models to run locally, enhancing privacy and responsiveness.
Addressing the Thermal Challenge Head-On
Perhaps the most critical focus for Samsung is tackling the thermal and throttling issues that have historically dogged its flagship Exynos chips. The company introduces a new Heat Path Block (HPB) technology in the Exynos 2600. This system uses advanced High-k EMC materials to improve heat transfer away from the core components, reportedly reducing thermal resistance by up to 16%. If effective, this innovation could allow the chip to maintain peak performance for longer durations during demanding tasks, directly addressing a key competitive weakness and user complaint.
Expected Galaxy S26 Series Chipset Distribution (Based on Leaks)
- Galaxy S26 & S26+ with Exynos 2600: South Korea, Europe, Key Asian markets, developing countries.
- Galaxy S26 & S26+ with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: United States, China, Japan.
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: All markets expected to use the 3nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Camera, Connectivity, and Market Deployment
The integrated Image Signal Processor (ISP) in the Exynos 2600 supports camera sensors up to 320MP and enables zero shutter lag for 108MP shots. For videographers, it supports 8K recording at 30fps and 4K at up to 120fps with HDR. New features like a Visual Perception System for real-time detail detection and Deep Learning Video Noise Reduction aim to improve photo and video quality, especially in low light. The chip supports modern standards like LPDDR5X memory, UFS 4.1 storage, and 4K displays with 120Hz refresh rates. It appears to use a discrete modem rather than an integrated one. According to industry leaks, the Exynos 2600 will power the standard Galaxy S26 and S26+ models in markets including South Korea, Europe, and parts of Asia, while the S26 Ultra and phones in the US, China, and Japan are expected to use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.