Samsung Galaxy S26 series to divide Snapdragon and Exynos chips: Full regional breakdown

Samsung Galaxy S26 series may split chips (Snapdragon and Exynos) once again. A new report suggests that the company is likely to repeat its 2024 chip diversification strategy, which was a bit hit with the Galaxy S24 series.

According to Newspim (via Jukanlosreve), Samsung may launch the Galaxy S26 series with a dual chip strategy, bringing Exynos back to the game, after facing huge cost burdens in the Galaxy S25 series due to Snapdragon exclusivity.

Full regional breakdown [Unofficial]

The report suggests that the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus would use Exynos 2600, manufactured using the 2nm process. The Exynos models will likely be available in most markets outside North America and select Asian countries.

The Galaxy S26 series will solely use the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 in North America, China, Japan, and South Korea, the report suggests. However, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be powered by a Snapdragon processor, regardless of the country.

Here’s a more details distribution:

Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus/Edge

Snapdragon 8 Elite 2

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• North America, including the US
• China
• Japan
• South Korea

Exynos 2600

• Global market, including
  • Africa
  • Asia (excluding CN, JP, SK)
  • Europe
  • Middle East

Galaxy S26 Ultra

Snapdragon 8 Elite 2

• All regions and countries like the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Exynos 2600

• Limited to non-Ultra models in the Global market.

Samsung was quite ambitious for the 3nm-based Exynos 2500. However, the product ended up resting in research labs at the time of S25’s launch. It is now expected to be used in the Galaxy Z Flip7, with the Flip FE getting Exynos 2400.

The Exynos 2600 could be manufactured using a 2nm process node. Samsung is aiming to equip the Galaxy S26 models with its in-house chipset, but the commercialization can’t be expected until the yield reaches the production threshold.

Regarding Samsung’s likely decision, industry insiders assume that the company could be pursuing a strategy to secure Exynos competitiveness in less sensitive markets, as the success of Exynos is critical for Samsung Electronics.