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Samsung's next S-series is taking shape in leaks and supply-chain whispers. The latest reports suggest the Galaxy S26 Pro will use Samsung's in-house Exynos 2600 in most regions, while select markets may still get Qualcomm silicon.
Exynos 2600 confirmed for most regions
SamMobile says it has corroborating evidence that the S26 Pro will ship with the Exynos 2600 SoC in the majority of countries. That matters because the 2600 is tipped to be the industry's first 2nm mobile processor, with mass production reportedly kicking off last month.
Early details point to a deca-core CPU arranged in a 1+3+6 configuration — a setup aimed at balancing peak power with sustained efficiency. In short: expect better battery life and improved thermal headroom compared with many previous Exynos generations.
Where Snapdragon shows up — and why Samsung is hedging
Not every S26 Pro will get Exynos. Sources indicate the US and China could receive units powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 instead. Samsung has long split chipset suppliers across regions, and keeping Qualcomm in key markets is a pragmatic move to satisfy carrier and consumer expectations.
- Chip options: Exynos 2600 in most regions; Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 likely for the US and China.
- Exynos 2600 highlights: first 2nm node for mobile, deca-core 1+3+6 layout, mass production underway.
- Expected gains: improved efficiency, stronger sustained performance, and cooler thermals than prior Exynos chips.
A shifting S26 lineup — Plus makes a comeback
The Galaxy S26 family reportedly includes the S26 Pro, S26 Edge, S26+, and S26 Ultra. Samsung briefly dropped the Plus variant during early planning but revived it after the Galaxy S25 Edge didn't sell as well as hoped. Market feedback is clearly reshaping the lineup.
Launch timing looks set for January 2026, when Samsung traditionally unveils its S-series. If Exynos 2600 volume production is on track, some regions could see hardware availability soon after the announcement.
Imagine a flagship that blends 2nm efficiency with a tuned software stack — that’s the promise here. Whether the real-world gains match expectations will depend on device tuning, thermal design, and how Samsung differentiates the Exynos and Snapdragon variants.
Source: gsmarena
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