https://pepelac.news/en/posts/id16764-samsung-exynos-2600-debuts-with-2nm-gaa-and-big-ai-gains

Samsung Exynos 2600 debuts with 2nm GAA and big AI gains

Samsung unveils Exynos 2600: 2nm GAA chip with faster CPU, stronger AI, and cooler thermals

Samsung Exynos 2600 debuts with 2nm GAA and big AI gains

Samsung unveils the Exynos 2600, the first 2nm GAA mobile chip: 10-core CPU, Xclipse 960 GPU, stronger NPU and cooler thermals to challenge Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.

2025-12-19T18:44:19+03:00

Samsung has officially unveiled the Exynos 2600—the world’s first mobile processor built on a 2nm GAA process. Just a day after teasing a few specs, the company released the full rundown, emphasizing higher performance, better power efficiency, and a thoroughly reworked thermal design. The swift follow-up itself hints at how confident Samsung feels about this chip.The Exynos 2600 features a 10-core CPU arranged in a 1 + 3 + 6 cluster based on ARM’s C1-Ultra and C1-Pro cores, similar to those used in the Dimensity 9500. Built on the ARM v9.3 architecture, it supports Scalable Matrix Extension 2 to handle more complex compute workloads. Samsung says overall CPU performance is up by as much as 39%, with gains in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks—positioning the 2600 as a direct challenger to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. On paper, that’s a credible shot across the bow.The Xclipse 960 graphics subsystem doubles compute performance over the previous generation, while ray tracing improves by up to 50%. Samsung’s Exynos Neural Super Sampling—akin to DLSS and FSR—adds frame generation to push higher frame rates in games. On the AI side, the NPU delivers a 113% uplift in generative workloads compared to the Exynos 2500. For on-device AI, those numbers could reshape what users expect from premium phones.For imaging, Samsung introduced the AI-powered Visual Perception System, enabling the ISP to identify fine detail in photos and video in real time. According to the company, this cuts power usage by up to 50% and improves results in challenging scenes thanks to features like Deep Learning Video Noise Reduction. The chipset supports camera resolutions up to 320 MP and the modern APV codec.Thermals received special attention. With Heat Pass Block technology, thermal resistance drops by 16%, a move aimed at addressing overheating issues that dogged previous Exynos generations. Impressive as the spec sheet is, real-world performance will only be clear once the Galaxy S26 and S26+ land, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to use a Qualcomm processor exclusively again. Even so, the Exynos 2600 stands out as Samsung’s most ambitious mobile silicon in years and signals a confident bid for the top tier.

Exynos 2600, Samsung 2nm GAA, mobile processor, 10-core CPU, Xclipse 960 GPU, ray tracing, NPU, on-device AI, Galaxy S26, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, thermal design, Heat Pass Block

2025

Danny Weber

news

Samsung unveils Exynos 2600: 2nm GAA chip with faster CPU, stronger AI, and cooler thermals

Samsung unveils the Exynos 2600, the first 2nm GAA mobile chip: 10-core CPU, Xclipse 960 GPU, stronger NPU and cooler thermals to challenge Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.

Danny Weber, Editor

18:44 19-12-2025

The Exynos 2600 features a 10-core CPU arranged in a 1 + 3 + 6 cluster based on ARM’s C1-Ultra and C1-Pro cores, similar to those used in the Dimensity 9500. Built on the ARM v9.3 architecture, it supports Scalable Matrix Extension 2 to handle more complex compute workloads. Samsung says overall CPU performance is up by as much as 39%, with gains in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks—positioning the 2600 as a direct challenger to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. On paper, that’s a credible shot across the bow.

The Xclipse 960 graphics subsystem doubles compute performance over the previous generation, while ray tracing improves by up to 50%. Samsung’s Exynos Neural Super Sampling—akin to DLSS and FSR—adds frame generation to push higher frame rates in games. On the AI side, the NPU delivers a 113% uplift in generative workloads compared to the Exynos 2500. For on-device AI, those numbers could reshape what users expect from premium phones.

For imaging, Samsung introduced the AI-powered Visual Perception System, enabling the ISP to identify fine detail in photos and video in real time. According to the company, this cuts power usage by up to 50% and improves results in challenging scenes thanks to features like Deep Learning Video Noise Reduction. The chipset supports camera resolutions up to 320 MP and the modern APV codec.

Thermals received special attention. With Heat Pass Block technology, thermal resistance drops by 16%, a move aimed at addressing overheating issues that dogged previous Exynos generations. Impressive as the spec sheet is, real-world performance will only be clear once the Galaxy S26 and S26+ land, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to use a Qualcomm processor exclusively again. Even so, the Exynos 2600 stands out as Samsung’s most ambitious mobile silicon in years and signals a confident bid for the top tier.