Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup is already creating buzz, with reports hinting at a significant change in its flagship smartphone strategy for 2026. According to fresh leaks, Samsung may replace the current “standard” and “Plus” models with the Galaxy S26 Pro and Galaxy S26 Edge. What makes this more interesting is the possibility that these models could debut with Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2600 chipset, fabricated on a 2nm process, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to continue using Qualcomm’s next-gen Snapdragon chip.

Key Points

Galaxy S26 Pro and S26 Edge may launch with Exynos 2600 SoC

Ultra variant likely to use Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2

Exynos 2600 reportedly built on a 2nm process for higher efficiency

Rising chip procurement costs pushing Samsung to use in-house chips

Samsung’s deal with Tesla showcases its 2nm process stability

Galaxy S25 series fully ran on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite

Expected launch in early 2026 with a redesigned lineup strategy

Samsung’s Rising Chip Costs

A report from South Korea reveals that Samsung’s chip procurement costs surged by 29.2% in the first half of 2025, reaching KRW 7.78 trillion (approx. ₹48,700 lakh crore) compared to KRW 6.27 trillion in 2024. The cost increase is largely due to the growing share of mobile application processors (APs) in Samsung’s overall component purchases, which jumped from 17.1% to 19.9%.

This spike in expenses is said to stem from Samsung’s heavy reliance on Qualcomm chips for its flagship smartphones, particularly the Galaxy S25 series and the Galaxy Z Fold 7, both powered exclusively by the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC.

Why Samsung May Switch to Exynos 2600

Qualcomm’s chip supplier, TSMC, has reportedly increased its prices aggressively, putting additional pressure on Samsung’s margins. To mitigate these rising costs, Samsung’s MX division is exploring the option of returning to its Exynos platform for some flagship models.

The Exynos 2600 is expected to be manufactured on a 2nm process node, offering a balance of power efficiency, performance, and cost-effectiveness. This shift would allow Samsung to have tighter control over chip supply and reduce dependency on third-party vendors.

Tesla Deal Boosting Confidence in Exynos 2600

Interestingly, Samsung recently partnered with Elon Musk’s Tesla to manufacture chips for its electric vehicles. Reports suggest that Samsung successfully demonstrated both yield and stability in its 2nm fabrication process. If these results translate well to smartphone chips, the Galaxy S26 Pro and Galaxy S26 Edge could set a new benchmark for Exynos-powered devices.

Galaxy S26 Ultra – Still Qualcomm Powered

While the S26 Pro and S26 Edge are tipped to feature Exynos, the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra is still rumored to rely on Qualcomm, likely the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. Samsung is expected to keep Qualcomm chips for its Ultra variant to maintain top-tier performance and global competitiveness.

Expected Launch Timeline

Samsung typically unveils its Galaxy S-series in January or February each year. If the leaks hold true, the Galaxy S26 series could launch in early 2026, featuring a reshuffled lineup with the Pro and Edge models leading the charge alongside the Ultra.

Conclusion

The decision to power the Galaxy S26 Pro and Galaxy S26 Edge with the Exynos 2600 could mark a bold step forward for Samsung, signaling a return to its own silicon at a time when chip costs are soaring. With the Ultra likely to stay on Qualcomm, Samsung seems to be striking a balance between cost efficiency and raw performance. If the Exynos 2600 lives up to expectations, the Galaxy S26 series could redefine Samsung’s flagship strategy while offering cutting-edge 2nm technology to consumers.

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