Samsung Exynos 2600 goes official as the industry’s first 2nm GAA mobile chip

The Samsung Exynos 2600 has finally been officially announced after months of leaks and speculation. The new flagship chipset marks a major milestone for Samsung, as it becomes the industry’s first mobile processor built on a 2nm GAA process. In simple terms, this advanced manufacturing technology enables the efficient packing of more transistors, thereby improving performance while keeping power consumption and heat levels in check.

Samsung Exynos 2600 specifications

At the core of the Exynos 2600 is a deca-core CPU based on the latest Arm v9.3 architecture. It features a new core layout that includes one Cortex-C1 Ultra core working at 3.8GHz, three Cortex-C1 Pro cores operating at 3.25GHz, and six Cortex-C1 Pro cores running at 2.75GHz. This configuration aims to balance everyday efficiency with stronger multi-threaded output.

For graphics, Samsung has equipped the chip with the new Xclipse 960 GPU, which brings hardware-level ray tracing support and AI-assisted upscaling through ENSS technology for smoother gameplay at lower power levels.

The Exynos 2600 integrates an upgraded NPU that delivers significantly faster generative AI processing while reducing latency during on-device tasks such as image editing and smart assistance. Samsung has also added enhanced privacy protections, including hardware-backed security and post-quantum cryptography support.

Camera and multimedia capabilities see meaningful gains as well. The chipset supports camera sensors of up to 320MP and introduces AI-driven video noise reduction and visual perception processing, helping improve low-light photos and videos without increasing power draw.

Thermal management has also been reworked using a new heat dissipation structure that allows the chip to sustain higher performance for longer durations.

In recent years, Samsung’s Exynos chips designed for flagship smartphones have faced criticism for lagging behind Snapdragon alternatives, especially in sustained performance, overheating, and throttling. The Exynos 2600 represents another serious attempt to reset that perception, with Samsung promising better thermal control, stronger on-device AI capabilities, and more balanced performance.

Galaxy S26 series could feature Exynos 2600

Samsung has not officially confirmed which upcoming smartphones will feature the Exynos 2600. However, reports suggest that the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus may debut with the new chipset, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to continue using the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. With the Galaxy S26 lineup tipped to launch by late February 2026, it is advisable to wait for further reports, as Samsung’s chipset strategy may vary by region.

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