Samsung just made a decision that has half the smartphone world celebrating and the other half reaching for pitchforks. After giving everyone the same high-end Snapdragon chip in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the company is going back to its old playbook for the S26 Ultra. If you live in Europe, India, or most of Asia, you’re getting Samsung’s homegrown Exynos 2600 processor. Meanwhile, buyers in the US and China get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Why does this matter? For years, Exynos chips have been the punchline of smartphone forums, known for overheating and draining batteries faster than their Snapdragon twins. But Samsung claims this time is different. The Galaxy S26 Ultra Exynos 2600 is built on a revolutionary 2-nanometer process and early benchmarks show it might actually beat Snapdragon in some tests. Is this Samsung’s redemption story, or are we about to see the same thermal disaster all over again?
What’s Happening With the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Samsung confirmed through leaked internal documents and benchmark listings that the Galaxy S26 series will use two different processors depending on where you buy the phone. This isn’t new, Samsung has done this dance before with the S22 and S24 series, but they took a break with the S25 Ultra by going all-in on Snapdragon globally.
Now they’re back to the split strategy, and the tech community has mixed feelings about it.
The Return of the Dual-Chip Strategy
Here’s how the regional breakdown looks for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. North America and China will receive phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which is Qualcomm’s latest flagship processor. The rest of the world, including Europe, India, South Korea, the Middle East, and most of Asia, will get devices running the Exynos 2600.
Samsung’s reasoning is partly business and partly technical. Manufacturing enough Snapdragon chips for global demand would be expensive and Qualcomm’s pricing isn’t cheap. Samsung has its own chip fabrication business and wants to prove that its Exynos lineup can compete at the highest level. The company has invested billions into its semiconductor division, and using Exynos in flagship phones is how they justify that spending.
Meet the Exynos 2600: Samsung’s 2nm Redemption
The Exynos 2600 isn’t just another iteration, it’s Samsung’s first chip built on a 2-nanometer manufacturing process. That’s a significant leap from the 3-nanometer and 4-nanometer processes used in previous generations. Smaller transistors mean better power efficiency and more processing power packed into the same physical space.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Samsung is using Gate-All-Around transistor technology for the first time in a smartphone chip. This design allows better control of electrical current, which theoretically means less power leakage and cooler operation under heavy workloads.
What Makes This Chip Different
Previous Exynos chips had a reputation for thermal throttling. You’d start playing a graphically intense game like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile, and within ten minutes the phone would get uncomfortably warm and performance would drop as the processor scaled back to prevent overheating. Battery life suffered too because the chip worked harder to accomplish the same tasks.
The Exynos 2600 addresses this with something Samsung calls Heat Path Block technology. Without getting too technical, this separates the modem from the main processor die, which was a major heat source in older designs. The modem now sits on its own dedicated chip, allowing both components to run cooler.
Did you know? The Exynos name comes from combining “Exynos” which roughly translates to “smart” in Greek, reflecting Samsung’s ambition to compete with Apple’s custom silicon.
The Benchmark Numbers Everyone’s Talking About
Leaked Geekbench scores show the Galaxy S26 Ultra Exynos 2600 variant hitting around 3,050 in single-core performance and approximately 9,400 in multi-core tests. Compare that to leaked Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 scores of roughly 3,200 single-core and 10,100 multi-core, and you’ll see the gap has narrowed considerably.
More impressive is the NPU performance, which handles AI tasks like photo processing and voice recognition. Samsung claims the Exynos 2600 delivers a 113 percent improvement in AI performance over the Exynos 2400 found in last year’s S24 series. That’s a massive jump and could mean faster image processing, better real-time translation, and smoother AI-enhanced features.
The CPU performance shows a 39 percent increase, and GPU capabilities are up by around 30 percent. These aren’t just minor updates, they represent a generational leap that puts the Exynos 2600 much closer to Snapdragon territory than we’ve seen in years.
The Regional Divide: Who Gets Which Chip?
If you’re shopping for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, here’s what you need to know about which version you’ll get. United States buyers will receive the Snapdragon variant, as will customers in mainland China. That’s where Samsung’s arrangement with Qualcomm guarantees supply.
Everyone else gets the Exynos 2600. That includes all of Europe, from the UK to Germany to Spain. India, one of Samsung’s largest markets, will get Exynos devices. South Korea, Samsung’s home country, will also run on Exynos chips. The Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America round out the Exynos regions.
Why Samsung Splits Processors by Region
The split comes down to supply chain realities and market dynamics. Qualcomm can’t produce enough chips to satisfy global demand for a phone that Samsung expects to sell in the tens of millions. Manufacturing capacity is limited and Qualcomm prioritizes its biggest customers.
Samsung also wants independence from Qualcomm’s pricing power. When you’re buying millions of processors, even small per-unit cost differences add up to hundreds of millions in expenses. By using Exynos in major markets, Samsung keeps more profit margin and reduces reliance on a single supplier.
There’s also the technology demonstration angle. Samsung Foundry, the division that manufactures chips, competes with TSMC for customers like Apple, Nvidia, and AMD. Proving that Samsung can build a competitive 2-nanometer chip helps attract those customers and justifies the company’s massive semiconductor investments.
Will History Repeat Itself?
This is the question on everyone’s mind. Past Exynos launches have been rocky at best and disastrous at worst. Let’s look at the track record.
The Exynos Track Record
The Galaxy S22 series in 2022 was particularly rough. European buyers complained about battery life that lagged 20 to 25 percent behind the Snapdragon version. Gaming performance dropped noticeably after sustained play. Some users reported worse cellular reception and slower 5G speeds because the integrated modem couldn’t match Qualcomm’s modem technology.
The Galaxy S24 series in 2024 showed improvement but still fell short. The Exynos 2400 closed the performance gap somewhat, but thermal management remained an issue. Reviewers consistently noted that Snapdragon variants maintained higher frame rates in extended gaming sessions.
This history is why the Galaxy S26 Ultra Exynos 2600 announcement has been met with skepticism. Samsung has promised “this time is different” before, and buyers in Exynos regions remember paying the same price for what felt like an inferior product.
What’s Changed This Time
Several factors suggest the Exynos 2600 might actually deliver on Samsung’s promises. The 2-nanometer process is a legitimate technological advancement, not just marketing speak. Gate-All-Around transistors represent a fundamental change in how the chip is built, with real benefits for power efficiency.
The separated modem design addresses what was arguably the biggest weakness of previous Exynos chips. Heat generation from the modem affected the entire system, forcing the main processor to throttle even when it had thermal headroom. With that heat source isolated, the main chip can maintain higher performance for longer.
Early benchmark results back this up. While Snapdragon still has a slight edge in raw performance, the gap is small enough that most users won’t notice a difference in daily use. Both chips will handle everything from social media to gaming to photo editing without breaking a sweat.
Beyond the Processor: What Else Is New?
The processor debate dominates headlines, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra brings other changes worth discussing. Samsung is refreshing the camera design and improving charging speeds.
Camera Design Changes
Samsung is ditching the individual floating camera rings that have defined the past three Ultra models. The S26 Ultra will feature a unified camera island or raised plateau that houses all the lenses. This isn’t just cosmetic, the design change allows for physically larger camera sensors.
Rumors point to a 1-inch class main sensor, which would be a significant upgrade from the 1 over 1.3 inch sensor in the S25 Ultra. Larger sensors capture more light, resulting in better low-light photos and video with more natural depth of field. The telephoto lenses might standardize to 50-megapixel sensors across both zoom levels, enabling smoother digital zoom and higher quality cropped images.
Charging and Battery Updates
Charging speeds are getting a bump to 60 watts, up from 45 watts in the S25 Ultra. That should reduce charging times by roughly 20 to 25 percent, though Samsung hasn’t confirmed exact figures yet. The company is also expected to include Qi2 wireless charging support with magnetic alignment, similar to Apple’s MagSafe system.
Battery capacity will likely stay around 5,000 milliamp hours, but the more efficient processors should extend runtime even with the same physical battery size.
What This Means for You
If you’re considering the Galaxy S26 Ultra, your biggest decision factor will be whether you trust Samsung’s Exynos promises. For buyers in Snapdragon regions, this is a non-issue, you’re getting the tried and tested Qualcomm chip with known performance characteristics.
Should You Wait or Buy Now?
For those in Exynos regions, the calculus is trickier. The specifications and early benchmarks look promising, but real-world testing will tell the true story. Heat management under sustained load, battery life during typical daily use, and modem performance in varying network conditions are the areas to watch.
If you need a phone immediately, the Galaxy S25 Ultra with its universal Snapdragon chip remains an excellent choice and will likely see price drops as the S26 launch approaches. If you can wait, the S26 Ultra represents a significant camera upgrade and the potential for a truly competitive Exynos chip.
One practical tip, when the phone launches, you can check which processor your device has by going to Settings, then About Phone, and looking at the processor information. The model number will indicate whether you have an Exynos or Snapdragon variant.
Also Read: Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: 7 Powerful Reasons to Upgrade
FAQs
Will the Galaxy S26 Ultra Exynos 2600 overheat like previous models?
Early indications suggest improved thermal management thanks to the separated modem design and 2nm manufacturing process, but we won’t know for certain until real-world testing after launch. Samsung’s Heat Path Block technology is specifically designed to address previous overheating issues.
Can I buy a Snapdragon version if I live in Europe?
Officially no, Samsung region-locks processor variants. Some gray market sellers import US models, but you’ll lose warranty coverage and may face compatibility issues with local cellular networks. It’s generally not recommended unless you understand the risks.
How much will the Galaxy S26 Ultra cost?
Samsung hasn’t announced pricing, but expect it to match or slightly exceed the S25 Ultra’s launch price of around 1,300 to 1,400 dollars for the base model. Both Exynos and Snapdragon variants will cost the same in their respective markets.
When will the Galaxy S26 Ultra be released?
Based on Samsung’s typical launch schedule, expect an announcement in late January or early February 2026, with retail availability following two to three weeks later. Pre-orders usually open immediately after the announcement event.
Is the Exynos 2600 actually better than Snapdragon this time?
Benchmark scores show the gap has narrowed significantly, with Exynos trailing by only about five to seven percent in most tests. Whether that translates to equivalent real-world performance depends on thermal management and sustained performance, which we’ll only know after thorough testing.
Will app compatibility differ between Exynos and Snapdragon versions?
No, both versions run the same One UI software and support the same apps. Some games may have slightly different graphics settings or frame rate caps based on thermal profiles, but the user experience should be nearly identical for everyday apps.
The Bottom Line
Samsung is taking a calculated risk with the Galaxy S26 Ultra Exynos 2600. The company has invested heavily in proving that its in-house chips can finally stand toe-to-toe with Qualcomm’s best. The 2-nanometer process and architectural changes suggest this isn’t just another incremental update, it’s a genuine attempt to close a performance gap that has frustrated users for years.
For buyers in Snapdragon regions, you’re getting a safe bet with proven technology. For those in Exynos territories, you’re either getting a phone that finally delivers on Samsung’s promises or you’re about to become part of the latest chapter in the Exynos saga. The camera upgrades and design refresh make the S26 Ultra compelling regardless of processor, but that chip lottery will determine whether this phone becomes a recommendation or a cautionary tale.
What’s your take on Samsung’s dual-chip strategy? Are you willing to give Exynos another chance, or does the history of thermal issues have you looking at alternatives? The conversation continues in the comments, and we’ll be following this story closely as launch day approaches and real-world reviews start rolling in.
