Samsung Electronics' self-developed mobile application processor (AP) "Exynos 2600" is reportedly highly likely to be installed in Samsung's flagship Galaxy S26 series, which is scheduled for release next year. Exynos is Samsung Electronics' in-house mobile AP designed by the system LSI business unit of the Device Solutions (DS) institutional sector, which oversees the semiconductor business, and mass-produced by the foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) business unit. The AP serves as the brain of the smartphone and determines its overall performance.
According to the industry on the 20th, Samsung Electronics' system LSI business unit plans to begin mass production of the Exynos 2600 in Nov. and supply it to Samsung Electronics' mobile business unit (MX business unit). The Exynos 2600 is expected to be installed in Samsung's flagship Galaxy S26 series, which is likely to launch in Mar. next year.
Some expect that even the top-tier model of the Galaxy S26 series, the Ultra, is highly likely to feature the Exynos 2600. If it is installed in the Galaxy S26 Ultra, it would mark the first time in four years since the Galaxy S22 Ultra that Exynos is applied to the highest-end model of the Galaxy S series.
If the Exynos 2600 is installed across all Galaxy S26 models and quells performance controversies, improvements can be expected in the performance of the system LSI business unit, higher utilization rates at the foundry business unit, and expense reductions for the MX business unit. Previously, the Exynos 2200 installed in the Galaxy S22 series sparked overheating issues. Afterward, Samsung Electronics installed Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 across the entire Galaxy S23 series.
In the Galaxy S24 series, the Exynos 2400 was installed only in the base and Plus models. The next Exynos 2500 also failed to be applied to the Galaxy S25 series due to poor foundry yields and performance. For these reasons, the system LSI business unit and the foundry business unit recorded operating losses of around 2 trillion won each quarter, and profitability deteriorated.