Galaxy S26’s 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Chip to Hit 4.74GHz

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series continues to gather momentum in the leak circuit. After leaks about battery, charging, and design aspects, the latest piece of information focuses on its processor lineup. A reliable leaker says the 2026 flagships will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 “for Galaxy” chip.

Galaxy S26 series could run Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 — where’s Exynos 2600?

According to Ice Universe, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2’s “for Galaxy” version will feature a top speed of 4.74GHz. The 8 Elite powering the S25 series runs at up to 4.47GHz. If accurate, the next-gen model would offer one of the highest frequencies ever seen in a mobile processor. It could set new performance standards for Android flagships.

The source adds that the TSMC will manufacture the chip, likely on its 3nm process node. This comes amid rumors that the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will have a 2nm variant manufactured by Samsung Foundry. The Samsung-made variant is still uncertain and may depend on the foundry’s ability to meet yield and thermal expectations.

If Samsung’s 2nm node proves successful in time, the Galaxy S26 series could adopt that version; if not, the more proven TSMC 3nm variant would likely take its place. Well, the tipster suggests the next-gen flagships are confirmed to feature the TSMC version. However, if things change in the future, the exact frequency may vary depending on the manufacturer and the process node applied.

Meanwhile, Samsung is preparing its Exynos 2600, also based on a 2nm process. This chip is expected to power some Galaxy S26 models in select regions, especially the base S26 and S26 Edge (or S26+) variants. While today’s leak points to a Snapdragon chip across the entire S26 series, Samsung may push hard to use Exynos in some markets, a strategy it has used in previous years.

A lot depends on how fast Samsung’s 2nm yield improves. The company had to abandon plans of equipping the Galaxy S25 with its in-house Exynos 2500 chipset due to poor 3nm yields. The chip finally debuted with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 this month. Hopefully, the Exynos 2600 won’t have the same fate. Or else, Samsung must go all-in with Snapdragon again.