Samsung's development of the Exynos chipset has been characterized by ambition, but it has also faced major challenges. One such challenge was supply-side constraints that prevented the inclusion of the Exynos 2500 in the Galaxy S25 lineup, resulting in a complete reliance on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite. Currently, Samsung is focused on the Exynos 2600 for the Galaxy S26 series, with a strong emphasis on stabilizing production yields.
Exynos 2600, what's really striking is the production method. Samsung's leaning heavily on its SF2 process, which is a sophisticated way of building these chips. It's built around third-generation Gate-All-Around (GAA) technology to get a noticeable uptick in both chip performance and power. Now, they aim to start mass production in the latter half of the year.
If all goes to plan, this new process should deliver a 12% jump in performance, a 25% improvement in power efficiency, and a shrink in chip size by 5%. It's an ambitious goal; it's going to make a real difference. Early test runs have shown a 30% yield, a welcome improvement over the Exynos 2500's initial struggles.
It's essential that Samsung optimizes these yields further. It would allow them to confidently integrate the Exynos 2600 into the Galaxy S26 series, lessening their dependence on Qualcomm. Especially with the anticipated price hikes from Qualcomm in 2026, it's a matter of strategic necessity, not just preference.
The Exynos 2500, after missing in the Galaxy S25, is getting a second look. Samsung's System LSI division has recently hinted that the chip's still running for mobile devices for the latter half of 2025. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are expected to launch in the second half of next year .It's unclear which variants get the Exynos 2500 or Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite. We'll have to wait and see.
Apparently, there is a rumor they've redesigned the CPU setup, moving from 1+2+3+4 cluster in the Exynos 2400 to a 1+2+2+5 arrangement. This'll lead to better performance and efficiency.
Looking at how Samsung is handling their chip development, it highlights their strong desire for self-reliance. They've faced setbacks, but they're not letting that define them. What's clear is their focused effort to resolve the production issues with the Exynos 2600. And then there's the strategic move to potentially use the Exynos 2500 in their future foldable phones; it's a deliberate choice, signaling they're not backing down in a very tough market. How do these decisions play out? Well, that will have a considerable impact on Samsung's position in the long run. It's a complex situation; let's wait for more updates.