Galaxy S26 Series May Feature Samsung-Built Snapdragon Chips—What This Means for Next-Gen Flagships

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup may shake up the smartphone processor landscape, according to the latest industry leaks. In a surprising turn, Samsung is reportedly considering manufacturing its own version of Qualcomm's powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chipset for its next flagship smartphones—distinct from its traditional in-house Exynos processors.

Samsung and TSMC: A Dual-Sourcing Strategy for Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2

Rumors have circulated for months about Qualcomm's strategy for the highly anticipated Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip—expected to power many top-tier flagships in 2025, including the Galaxy S26 series. Now, a renowned insider from Digital Chat Station has confirmed that Qualcomm may produce this processor at both TSMC and Samsung facilities.

Leaked information suggests two versions: the TSMC-made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (referenced as SM8850), and a more affordable Samsung-produced variant (SM8850s). The cost difference could play a major role in how brands price their flagship models next year.

Performance Versus Price: What’s at Stake?

While a less expensive chipset could allow Samsung to maintain aggressive pricing or even freeze prices for the Galaxy S26 series, there are important trade-offs to consider. Historically, TSMC has delivered better performance and efficiency in chip manufacturing compared to Samsung’s foundries. Consumers and experts might expect the TSMC version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 to outperform its Samsung-made counterpart, especially in terms of processing speed and battery life. However, it remains possible that advances in Samsung’s semiconductor technology could narrow the performance gap this time around.

Impact Beyond Samsung: Market Implications

An affordable Snapdragon chip made by Samsung wouldn’t just benefit the Galaxy S26 lineup. This move could influence pricing strategies for other flagship devices, including competitive offerings like the Xiaomi 16 and HONOR Magic 8 series, making advanced technology more accessible or enabling manufacturers to upgrade other features while keeping costs stable.

The Exynos Question

Adding another layer of complexity, Samsung is also rumored to equip select S26 models with the in-house Exynos 2600 processor. This diversified chip strategy could result in different performance profiles within the same Galaxy series, giving consumers more choices—but also introducing some uncertainty about which model to choose for optimal performance.

What’s Next for Flagship Smartphones?

Ultimately, Qualcomm’s dual-sourcing approach for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 and Samsung’s willingness to manufacture its own version could reshape the competition in the high-end smartphone market. As the industry waits for official announcements, tech enthusiasts should keep a close eye on performance benchmarks and pricing signals from Samsung and its rivals in the coming months.