The Snapdragon Summit 2025 recently kicked off in Maui, Hawaii, leaving tech enthusiasts buzzing—but with a notable surprise.
Samsung has remained silent about whether the upcoming Galaxy S26 series will continue using Qualcomm Snapdragon chips.
This is unusual, especially since Samsung’s TM Roh, Head of Mobile Experience, has historically promoted Snapdragon “For Galaxy” processors at previous events, including the Snapdragon Summit 2024.
Exynos 2600: Samsung’s Homegrown Chip Making a Comeback
Industry insiders suggest Samsung may be shifting toward its own silicon.
The Exynos 2600, built on Samsung’s advanced 2nm GAA process, is set for mass production soon.
By potentially phasing out Qualcomm’s chips in future Galaxy devices, Samsung could reallocate costs to other improvements.
Such as display enhancements, battery capacity, and new features, rather than focusing solely on raw processing power.
Why Exynos Could Be Returning
The pricing trends of recent Galaxy foldable devices hint at a strategic move.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7, powered by the Exynos 2500, maintained its retail price, while the Galaxy Z Fold 7, equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, saw a $100 price increase.
Samsung appears to be leveraging Exynos to manage costs while enabling upgrades in devices like Galaxy S26 Ultra, which boasts a more advanced display and improved features.
Early internal testing suggests the Exynos 2600 performs on par with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite, indicating Samsung could reduce reliance on Qualcomm.
This move aligns with Samsung’s broader strategy to compete not only with Qualcomm but also within the chipset and foundry business.
The Impact on Qualcomm
Samsung has historically been Qualcomm’s largest Snapdragon customer.
According to tech leaker UniverseIce, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy outsold the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite by a wide margin, with Galaxy S25 series sales surpassing all other Android devices using the standard chip.
A full switch to Exynos for the Galaxy S26 series could significantly affect Qualcomm’s revenue, although regional Exynos rollouts, similar to the Galaxy S24 series, remain a possibility.
Read also: Why the AI’s International Regulatory Framework is Important in 2026 and Beyond
Galaxy S26 Series Mystery Box Offer
For consumers eagerly awaiting the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung offers the SammyGuru Mystery Box Program.
Signing up provides exclusive perks, including a free case, 65W charger, screen protector, and more. Don’t miss out—this promotion is set to start in January 2026.
Source: SammyGuru
