Samsung May Boost Smartphone Chip Shipments in 2026

Samsung could see a boost in the smartphone SoC market in 2026, even as global shipments may fall. This is because of the company’s focus on premium smartphones, its in-house Exynos chip, and its early adoption of cutting-edge 2nm manufacturing technology.

Exynos 2600 may play a key role in Samsung’s smartphone SoC business

According to Counterpoint Research, global smartphone SoC shipments may drop by around 7% year on year in 2026. If it pans out, this will be a setback after posting consecutive years of growth. The decline is mainly because of rising memory prices, which are putting cost pressures on the smartphone industry, mainly in the sub-$150 segment.

The research firm says SoC vendors with heavy exposure to 4G and entry-level 5G devices could suffer the most in 2026. However, Samsung remains in a better position to handle these challenges. The company is reportedly preparing to debut the Galaxy S26 series, its 2026 flagship smartphone lineup, in late February. Some units of Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ models (depending on the market) may use the in-house 2nm Exynos 2600 chip.

Furthermore, Samsung’s next-generation 2026 foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, may also use the same Exynos 2600 chip. Wider adoption of the chip in multiple premium models should greatly increase the company’s SoC shipments. Counterpoint Research forecasts that Samsung’s smartphone SoC shipments could increase by around 7% year on year.

“Despite near-term shipment pressures, we expect the smartphone SoC market to deliver double-digit revenue growth in 2026. This growth will be driven by continued premiumization, higher memory prices, and the rapid adoption of AI-enabled features across smartphones,” said Senior Analyst Soumen Mandal.

In recent years, OEMs have focused heavily on integrating advanced chips so devices can better handle AI-based tools. As a result, demand for premium phone SoCs is increasing, leading to higher average SoC selling prices that are supporting overall revenue growth.