Samsung's Exynos flagship processors may return in the 2026 Galaxy S26 lineup, industry sources say, marking a potential revival after years on the sidelines. Built on Samsung's gate-all-around (GAA) manufacturing process, the new Exynos chips are reportedly closing the gap with TSMC's 3nm products in performance and power efficiency, a development insiders see as key to regaining market share.
Sources indicate Samsung's smartphone division has been conducting intensive trials in recent months. With the Galaxy S26 launch window drawing near, the company is weighing whether to stick exclusively with Qualcomm processors or restore Exynos to a significant share of its flagship models.
Breaking free from a troubled past
For years, Exynos and Samsung Foundry have been locked in a cycle of setbacks. Persistent lags in process technology compared with TSMC led Qualcomm to move all Snapdragon production to the Taiwanese giant, eroding Exynos' competitiveness. To safeguard performance in its flagship phones, Samsung's mobile unit opted to drop Exynos in favor of Qualcomm chips.
Some supply chain executives contend that manufacturing was not Exynos' only weakness. They cite design shortcomings that left it lagging behind Qualcomm and MediaTek in the Android market, one reason Samsung has expanded its use of MediaTek processors in other smartphone tiers and non-phone devices.
A 2nm leap forward, but still behind TSMC
Industry insiders say Samsung's 2nm GAA process delivers a clear upgrade over its earlier 3nm node, with performance and power efficiency now roughly matching TSMC's 3nm technology. As most mobile SoC vendors plan to stay on 3nm in 2025, the new Exynos flagship platform is expected to be competitive, avoiding the wide performance gap of past iterations.
The final decision lies with Samsung's smartphone division. Exynos' return will hinge on whether its performance can rival Qualcomm's enough to justify a flagship comeback.
The AI era raises the stakes
Mobile SoC experts note that delivering annual "meaningful upgrades" demands significant R&D spending, especially as AI capabilities become standard. Performance, power efficiency, thermal control, and smooth user experience are now table stakes—any shortfall is quickly noticed by consumers.
Exynos faces a tougher climb after years out of the flagship race, which slowed its technical progress. The rapid spread of AI-driven features has tightened the link between SoC makers and AI ecosystems, raising the bar for design innovation.
While Samsung seems to have narrowed its manufacturing gap, Exynos' ability to match rivals in architecture and meet the performance expectations of Samsung's mobile unit is still unproven.
Article edited by Jingyue Hsiao
