Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra: Exynos 2600 in most regions, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 elsewhere; Ultra uses Snapdragon globally. Pricing talks inside.
© A. Krivonosov
Samsung is gearing up the Galaxy S26 lineup, which will include the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. For most regions, the first two models are expected to run on the Exynos 2600, while other countries will see the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The Galaxy S26 Ultra, in turn, appears set to ship with Snapdragon globally.
Chosen Biz reports that Samsung’s MX division is negotiating with Samsung System LSI to source the Exynos 2600 at a price $20–$30 lower than the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. That could lower production costs for Exynos-based models, though there’s no guarantee the savings will show up on the shelf price.
Rising component costs are also keeping Samsung from aggressive price cuts. At the same time, a cheaper Exynos 2600 doesn’t signal a step down in quality: Samsung System LSI may be offering a sharp price to bring its own processors back to market and improve the company’s profitability.
All told, using the Exynos 2600 in the Galaxy S26 looks like a pragmatic, strategic move aimed at trimming the bill of materials without sacrificing much on performance.