Samsung creates dedicated team for custom processors on Exynos chips for Galaxy S26

Samsung announced the formation of a team dedicated to developing custom SoCs within the Soluções to Dispositivos division. Essa initiative, revealed in recent rumors, aims to create processors optimized specifically for Galaxy smartphones, with a focus on energy autonomy and superior performance. The move occurs amid preparations for the launch of the Galaxy S26 line, expected for the beginning of 2026 in Seul, in Coreia of Sul.

The main goal is to reduce dependence on external suppliers such as Qualcomm and MediaTek and increase control over in-house manufacturing. Especialistas indicate that this strategy can position Samsung more competitively in the mobile semiconductor market.

• The team’s main goals: battery optimization, integration of advanced AI and reduction of production costs.
• Start of activities: linked to the System LSI division, led by SoC specialists.

The company has already started testing with the Exynos 2600, its next chip

high-performance set, which promises benchmarks comparable to those of global rivals.

History of challenges with Exynos

Samsung has resumed efforts to customize its processors after pausing similar projects in recent years. In 2019, the company closed a custom CPU core development unit due to thermal efficiency and performance issues.

Now, with the new team, the approach shifts to exclusive designs for Galaxy, inspired by successful competitor models. The Essa turnaround seeks to correct limitations observed in previous generations of the Exynos, such as the 2400, which recorded production yields of around 50% in 4nm processes.

The initial focus is on the integration of components such as GPU Xclipse 960 and NPU for artificial intelligence tasks, with mass production scheduled for mid-2026.

Advantages of in-house production

The ability to manufacture chips in Samsung’s own foundry represents a key differentiator in this strategy. Diferente from rivals that rely on third parties, the company can adjust processes in real time, such as the use of the 2nm GAA node, which improves efficiency by up to 20% compared to previous generations.

This verticalization allows direct testing with the One UI software, ensuring optimized compatibility for cameras and sensors. Analistas predict this will result in devices with greater battery longevity, especially in foldable models like the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Additionally, the initiative opens doors for expansion beyond smartphones, including tablets and wearables, with projections of 15% cost reduction for the supply chain.

Comparison with rival strategies

Samsung follows similar steps to Apple, which has been developing A-series and M-series chips internally since 2010. However, the South Korean company gains an advantage by controlling both design and manufacturing, avoiding delays seen in external partnerships.

Qualcomm, in turn, dominates with Snapdragon, but faces criticism for high prices, around double the Exynos in some markets. The new Samsung team aims to match or beat these benchmarks, with the Exynos 2600 promising 59% more multi-core performance than recent competing chips.

Other players, such as MediaTek, expand in medium-sized niches, but Samsung bets on exclusivity for flagships, initially limiting the rollout to selected regions.

Technical details of the project

Rumors about the Exynos 2600

The Exynos 2600 appears as the first major test for the new development team. Esse chipset, manufactured at 2nm, integrates a deca-core configuration with next-generation ARM cores, including an Cortex-X5 core and efficiency-optimized clusters.

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Preliminary tests indicate clock speeds above 3.5 GHz, with a focus on gaming and video editing without excessive throttling. Mass production began in November 2025, with yields improving to 60%, enough to meet initial demand for the S26 line.

Additionally, the processor incorporates NPU advancements for local AI processing, enabling features such as real-time translation and enhanced photo editing directly on the device.

Samsung plans to limit the use of the Exynos 2600 to standard and Plus variants of the Galaxy S26, reserving Snapdragon for the Ultra in global markets.

Implications for the smartphone market

This change could alter supply dynamics in the sector, with Samsung reducing orders to suppliers by up to 30% over the next two years. Fabricantes of PCs and IoT are also watching the project, as custom chips could migrate to these segments.

For consumers, the impact appears in more affordable prices for flagships, as internal production cuts third-party margins. However, challenges such as yield stability persist, with continued monitoring expected until 2026.

• Benchmark expectations: 25% superiority in energy efficiency over the Exynos 2400.
• Initial applications: Galaxy S26, Z Flip 7 and Tab S10 tablets.

The strategy reinforces Samsung’s commitment to proprietary innovation, positioning it to capture a greater share of the growing mobile semiconductor market, valued at US$500 billion annually.

Advances in AI Integration

The team prioritizes merging hardware with software for more fluid experiences. The Exynos 2600’s NPU supports up to 45 TOPS in AI operations, enabling advanced multitasking without CPU overhead.

Developers test real-world scenarios such as low-light facial recognition and preliminary 6G network optimization, with direct integration into the Galaxy ecosystem. Essa approach contrasts with generic partner solutions, which require extra adaptations.

Projections indicate that by 2027, 70% of Samsung’s premium devices will adopt these custom SoCs, expanding into connected ecosystems like smart homes.

Preparations for future releases

Division leaders, such as Vice President Park Bong-il, coordinate with the foundry unit to align timelines. The official teaser for the Exynos 2600, released on December 4, 2025, highlighted optimizations “at every level”, generating buzz on technical forums.

Events like Galaxy Unpacked, scheduled for February 25, 2026 at San Francisco, location at 10am (Pacífico time), will feature hands-on demonstrations. Samsung expects this to boost sales by 15% for the S26 line, focusing on Asian and European markets.

This transition phase marks a return to innovative roots, with the company investing US$200 billion in semiconductors by 2030 to sustain growth.