Three Out of Four Galaxy S26 Phones Will Use Snapdragon Chips

Samsung has reportedly finalized its chip strategy for the Galaxy S26 series. Once again, Qualcomm will dominate the lineup, with three out of four S26 units expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. It may power the Galaxy S26 Ultra globally, and the standard Galaxy S26 and S26+ models in most major markets. Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2600, meanwhile, may be limited to the base and Plus variants in select regions.

Exynos returns, but most Galaxy S26 units still run Snapdragon

The Exynos 2600, built on Samsung’s next-gen 2nm GAA process, marks the company’s strongest push yet toward regaining ground in the premium AP (application processor) segment. The chip has reportedly made significant progress compared to its troubled predecessors. It promises improved efficiency, better thermal performance, and NPU and GPU improvements that boost AI and graphics capabilities.

Yields on Samsung’s 2nm process are also said to be “stable,” a key factor behind the company’s renewed confidence. In fact, the Exynos 2600 has been so reliable during internal testing that executives from the smartphone division wanted to use it across all three Galaxy S26 models. Doing so would have reduced reliance on Qualcomm and helped offset rising component costs, but the plan didn’t materialize.

According to Korean media reports, Samsung decided to limit the Exynos 2600 to the Galaxy S26 and S26+ in select regions to ensure consistency and performance in key markets. The new chip will reportedly appear in South Korea, China, and select emerging regions. The Ultra model serves as Samsung’s flagship showcase, and consumer trust in Exynos chips remains relatively low. So, it made sense for the company to ship the S26 Ultra exclusively with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

This approach allows Samsung to demonstrate the progress of its in-house semiconductor efforts without risking the kind of performance disparities that have long fueled the Exynos vs. Snapdragon debate. If all goes well, Samsung may bring Exynos back to its top-tier model with the Galaxy S27 Ultra in 2027.