Samsung is already making waves with early details about its upcoming Galaxy S26 series, even as we await the launch of the Galaxy S25. The Galaxy S26 is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, potentially made using a 2nm process by Samsung Foundry, alongside TSMC’s 3nm variant.
Performance Upgrades with Snapdragon 8 Elite 2
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is rumored to bring a significant performance boost of up to 20% compared to its predecessor. In early benchmarks, this chipset reportedly hits around 4000 points in Geekbench’s single-core tests, showcasing a significant leap in raw power. The improvements are expected in both single-core and multi-core processing, making it one of the most powerful mobile processors when the Galaxy S26 launches.
The new Snapdragon chip is expected to feature Qualcomm’s in-house Oryon CPU cores, optimizing performance and power efficiency. With clock speeds expected to reach up to 5GHz, this would mark a considerable upgrade from the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s 3.4GHz. This generational leap in chip technology aims to deliver faster processing, better gaming experiences, and more efficient use of AI tools.
Manufacturing Strategy: TSMC and Samsung Foundry Collaboration
Qualcomm is reportedly adopting a dual-foundry strategy for the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, utilizing TSMC’s 3nm process for some batches and Samsung’s advanced 2nm process for others. This approach might be part of a “for Galaxy” optimization, where Samsung’s in-house variants could offer enhanced performance and better power efficiency. Such a move would help Samsung leverage its foundry capabilities, improving yield rates and securing a stronger market position against rivals.
Potential Shift Away from Exynos
It seems that Samsung is opting to use only Snapdragon chips for the Galaxy S26 series, following a trend set with the Galaxy S25 lineup. The Exynos chips, which have faced criticism for performance inconsistencies, may not make a return until the Galaxy S27. Samsung’s Exynos division is reportedly working on a new processor codenamed “Ulysses,” aiming for a comeback with a 2nm process in 2027.
Conclusion and Expected Timeline
With a launch expected in early 2026, the Samsung Galaxy S26 series is gearing up to be a major upgrade in terms of processing power and efficiency. The move to advanced 2nm and 3nm process nodes should provide significant improvements in battery life, heat management, and overall performance. However, as these are early leaks, plans may still evolve, especially as Samsung and Qualcomm fine-tune their strategies leading up to the official release
In summary, the Galaxy S26 series could set a new benchmark for Android smartphones, making it a highly anticipated release in the coming years.
