Samsung has formally unveiled the Exynos 2600, its next-generation flagship smartphone processor, offering an early look at how upcoming premium phones could handle performance, efficiency, and on-device AI. Manufactured using Samsung’s cutting-edge 2nm GAA process, the chip introduces notable upgrades across the CPU, graphics, AI engine, and thermal design.
The 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) process represents Samsung’s most advanced semiconductor fabrication technology to date. Compared with older FinFET-based nodes, GAA is designed to improve power efficiency and give chip designers tighter control over transistor behaviour. According to reports, the Exynos 2600 is expected to power the Galaxy S26 and S26+ models, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra will likely continue to rely on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Exynos 2600 architecture and performance
At the heart of the Exynos 2600 is a deca-core CPU built on Arm’s v9.3 architecture. The cluster is arranged around a single high-end C1-Ultra core for peak performance, three C1-Pro cores tuned for heavy workloads, and six mid-tier efficiency cores aimed at everyday tasks. By phasing out the traditional cluster of tiny “little” cores, Samsung aims to keep performance more consistent over more extended periods while still managing power draw.
Samsung claims that these architectural refinements translate into noticeable improvements in both raw computing power and energy efficiency. The chip also supports advanced instruction sets tailored to accelerate on-device machine learning, which should help AI-heavy features respond faster without leaning heavily on the cloud.
AI at the centre of the experience
Artificial intelligence plays a central role in the Exynos 2600 story. The upgraded NPU has been designed to handle generative AI workloads more quickly while reducing latency and power consumption. That means features like AI-assisted photo editing, in-depth content generation, and more intelligent personal assistants can run more fluidly on the device itself, rather than offloading everything to remote servers.
Graphics and gaming improvements
On the graphics front, the Exynos 2600 uses the Xclipse 960 GPU, which brings improved ray-tracing capabilities and AI-powered upscaling via ENSS technology. These enhancements aim to deliver smoother frame rates and more realistic visuals, especially in demanding games, even when tighter power budgets constrain the chip.
To help sustain that performance, Samsung has added a new thermal management solution called the Heat Path Block. This design focuses on improving heat distribution and dissipation, allowing the processor to run at higher speeds for longer during intensive gaming sessions or extended AI processing without throttling as aggressively.
Camera, multimedia, and imaging
The Exynos 2600 also upgrades the camera and multimedia pipeline. It supports image sensors up to 320 megapixels, enabling manufacturers to pair it with ultra-high-resolution camera hardware. Alongside this, Samsung has improved video noise reduction and enabled smooth 8K video playback, which should help deliver cleaner footage and better clarity in low light.
Taken together, these changes suggest that the Exynos 2600 is less about quick benchmark spikes and more about stable, long-lasting performance. By emphasising efficient AI processing, reliable graphics performance, and sustained performance under load, Samsung outlines how it envisions the next wave of Exynos-powered flagships.
