New leaks have given us a closer look at Samsung’s upcoming Exynos 2600 processor, which is expected to power some models of the Galaxy S26 series. While Samsung has not officially confirmed the details yet, the leaked information paints a clear picture of a big step forward for the company.
The Exynos 2600 is especially important because it is expected to be Samsung’s first smartphone chip built on a 2nm process. If true, this would be a major upgrade over previous generations, with potential improvements in performance and power efficiency.
New CPU design focused on balance
According to tipster PhoneArt (@UniverseIce), the Exynos 2600 will feature a 10-core CPU designed to balance speed and efficiency. The chip is said to include:
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One main core running at up to 3.9GHz
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Three performance cores at around 3.25GHz
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Six efficiency cores clocked at 2.75GHz
This setup suggests Samsung is aiming for better multitasking and smoother everyday performance, while keeping power consumption under control. The move to a 2nm manufacturing process could also help with battery life, although real-world results will depend on how well Samsung manages heat.
AMD-powered graphics for gaming
On the graphics side, the Exynos 2600 is expected to continue Samsung’s partnership with AMD. The chip reportedly uses a new GPU internally known as JUNO, which may launch as the Xclipse 960.
Based on the leak, the GPU is built on AMD’s RDNA architecture and runs at close to 985MHz. It supports modern graphics standards like Vulkan 1.3, OpenGL ES 3.2, and OpenCL 3.0, which should translate into better gaming performance and smoother visuals in demanding apps.
Early benchmark scores look promising
Some early Geekbench scores linked to the Exynos 2600 have also surfaced. The chip reportedly scored around 3,455 in single-core tests and 11,621 in multi-core tests. These numbers point to strong multitasking performance and suggest the chip could compete closely with other flagship processors.
That said, the Exynos 2600 is said to run at slightly lower peak clock speeds compared to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. However, Samsung’s 10-core design could still offer advantages during long, heavy workloads where sustained performance matters more than short bursts of speed.
Where the Exynos chip may be used
Leaks also hint at Samsung’s usual regional strategy. The Exynos 2600 is expected to power the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus in select markets, including South Korea. Meanwhile, regions like the US, China, and Canada are likely to get Snapdragon-powered versions.
As for the top-end Galaxy S26 Ultra, it is expected to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 globally, regardless of region.
For now, all of this is based on leaks, but the Exynos 2600 is shaping up to be one of Samsung’s most important chips in years.
