Samsung has been steadily making strides toward reducing its reliance on third-party tech, with a particular focus on developing its own processors. The upcoming Exynos 2600 could be the next step in this strategy, possibly introducing Samsung’s first in-house GPU. This follows a previous rumor about the Exynos 2600’s GPU, and a recent leak further supports this development.
If the Exynos 2600 indeed comes with a Samsung-designed GPU, it could spark debate among tech enthusiasts. The Exynos line has often faced criticism, particularly when compared to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, which are typically seen as superior in performance. With Samsung’s push for self-reliance, it’s clear the company is hoping to reduce costs and increase control over its products, just as Apple has done with its own components.
Similar to Apple’s move with the iPhone 16e, which features the C1 cellular modem, the Galaxy S26 could feature the Exynos 2600 and its Samsung GPU. This would represent a notable shift, especially since the Exynos 2500 was delayed and missed the Galaxy S25 launch. Samsung is determined not to repeat this mistake, aiming to deliver the Exynos 2600 on schedule for the Galaxy S26.
The Exynos 2600 will be built on Samsung Foundry’s advanced 2 nm process. While previous Exynos chips have often struggled with performance and thermal issues, there is hope that Samsung can refine its design and achieve something similar to what Apple has done with its Apple Silicon. If the Exynos 2600 debuts in the Galaxy S26, it would mark a significant milestone for Samsung, as it would beat Apple to the 2 nm chip, with the iPhone 18 expected to feature 3 nm A19 chips manufactured by TSMC.
However, the Exynos 2600’s release is not without challenges. A former Huawei GPU lead is reportedly helping Samsung design its in-house GPU, moving away from AMD-based designs used in previous Exynos chips. Since this would be the first generation of Samsung’s own GPU, performance may not match up to competitors initially, but it’s likely that Samsung will refine and improve the design over time.
Additionally, there are reports that some regions may not receive the Exynos 2600 at all, with certain countries still getting Snapdragon-powered variants of the Galaxy S26. This means that some consumers could miss out on Samsung’s in-house GPU entirely, depending on where they live.