Samsung is gearing up to make a big comeback in the smartphone chipset race with its upcoming Exynos 2600 processor, the expected processor behind the Galaxy S26 series. Although it hasn’t been officially announced yet, recent leaks and benchmark rumors have set the tech world abuzz, hinting that Samsung might finally have a chip capable of challenging not only Qualcomm’s Snapdragon lineup but even Apple’s industry-leading silicon.
Below, we will go through everything we know so far about the Samsung Exynos 2600, from leaked Geekbench scores and architecture details to camera and efficiency improvements.
The comeback of Samsung Exynos chips
After years of playing catch-up with Qualcomm, Samsung’s semiconductor division seems determined to reclaim its position as a top-tier chipset maker. The Exynos 2600 is rumored to be built on Samsung’s advanced 3nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) process, a next-generation node that promises better energy efficiency and significantly cooler operation than the previous 4nm process used for the Exynos 2500.
According to Samsung’s own internal statements, the Exynos 2600 runs up to 30% cooler than the 2500, a meaningful step forward given the brand’s history with thermal throttling in earlier chips.
If these improvements hold true, Samsung could finally close the performance and efficiency gap that has long favored Qualcomm’s Snapdragon and Apple’s custom silicon.
Geekbench Leak: Exynos 2600 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Apple M5
The excitement around the Exynos 2600 began when leaker @lafaiel posted a screenshot of an alleged Geekbench 6 test result on X. According to the image, the Exynos 2600 achieved 4,217 points in the single-core test and 13,482 points in the multi-core test, astonishing numbers for a mobile chipset.
While these results can not be found on Geekbench’s public database (it seems to run under a corporate or unreleased version of the benchmark), the numbers align closely with early reports from WCCFTech and PhoneArena.
To put this into perspective, here is how it stacks up against competitors:
| Chipset | Single-Core Score | Multi-Core Score | Process Node | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exynos 2600 (Rumored) | 4,217 | 13,482 | Samsung 3nm GAA | 30% cooler than Exynos 2500 |
| Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | ~3,800 | ~12,100 | TSMC 3nm (N3E) | Likely in Galaxy S26 Ultra (US variant) |
| Apple M5 | ~4,200 | ~17,800 | TSMC 3nm (N3B) | Apple’s tablet/laptop chip benchmark |
If these figures are accurate, the Exynos 2600’s single-core performance nearly matches the Apple M5, and it outperforms the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in both single- and multi-core tests. That’s an enormous leap for Samsung, whose Exynos chips have historically trailed behind their rivals in raw performance.
Architecture and performance expectations
Although official specifications haven’t been revealed, leaks suggest that the Exynos 2600 will continue Samsung’s focus on a hybrid CPU architecture, likely consisting of:
- 1x Cortex-X5 “Prime” core for peak performance,
- 3x Cortex-A730 performance cores, and
- 4x Cortex-A520 efficiency cores.
This configuration mirrors the structure of current flagship SoCs but benefits from Samsung’s improved manufacturing efficiency. The use of 3nm GAA transistors allows for higher transistor density, reduced leakage, and improved clock stability, meaning that Samsung can achieve higher performance without excessive heat.
Additionally, Samsung is expected to use its latest Xclipse GPU, co-developed with AMD, which could bring hardware-level ray tracing and enhanced gaming capabilities to mobile devices.
AI and imaging capabilities
The Exynos 2600 is not just about CPU and GPU power. Like any chipset manufacturer, Samsung is heavily investing in AI and imaging technologies. The new chipset will likely feature:
- An upgraded Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for on-device generative AI features,
- Support for multi-frame HDR photography,
- Enhanced ISP (Image Signal Processor) for better low-light performance,
- Compatibility with 200MP sensors and 8K video recording, and
- Real-time AI scene optimization similar to Google’s Tensor G3 approach.
These improvements could make the Galaxy S26 one of the most advanced AI-driven smartphones at launch, enabling faster photo processing, smarter voice recognition, and improved computational photography.
Efficiency and thermal improvements
Efficiency has been an issue for Samsung’s past-generation chips, but the company is clearly aware of it. The Exynos 2600 aims to solve this problem through:
- Smaller 3nm GAA transistors that allow more power efficiency per watt.
- Enhanced heat dissipation with improved internal cooling layers.
- Dynamic voltage scaling to adjust power delivery based on workload.
If it truly runs 30% cooler than the Exynos 2500, it could maintain peak performance for longer, especially during gaming or intensive multitasking, without thermal throttling.
This could also translate into better battery life for Exynos-powered Galaxy models, which would be a welcome improvement for users in markets where Samsung’s in-house chips are standard.
How accurate are the Samsung Exynos 2600 leaks?
As exciting as these numbers sound, it is important to stay cautious. The alleged benchmark results have not appeared on Geekbench’s official listings, raising questions about their authenticity. Benchmarks from internal or pre-release devices often fluctuate, and final retail versions typically show different performance due to firmware and thermal tuning.
What it means for Galaxy S26 users
Samsung is expected to continue its dual-chip strategy for the Galaxy S26 lineup, using:
- Exynos 2600 for international variants, and
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for U.S. and select markets.
If these early benchmarks hold true, the performance gap between the two versions could finally vanish — or even tilt slightly in Exynos’s favor in single-core tasks. That could mark the first time in years that Samsung’s in-house silicon outperforms Qualcomm’s flagship chip.
Final thoughts
If the leaks are accurate, the Samsung Exynos 2600 represents a turning point for Samsung’s semiconductor division. Matching the Apple M5 in single-core performance, even on paper, is a monumental achievement that signals Samsung’s return to serious competition in the premium chipset market.
Still, until Samsung officially unveils the Exynos 2600 and independent benchmarks confirm these results, it is wise to treat these leaks as early indicators, not hard evidence.
But one thing’s certain: the Galaxy S26 generation could usher in a new chapter for Samsung, one where Exynos chips are not just “good enough,” but genuinely class-leading.
