A recent benchmark leak has shed light on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 series, hinting at a significant performance gap between its chipset variants. The leak, posted by tipster @OreXda on X, reveals details about the Exynos 2600, Samsung’s in-house 2nm chipset expected to power some Galaxy S26 models, and compares it to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, which will drive others. As Samsung returns to its dual-chip strategy, the leaked benchmarks have reignited concerns about regional performance disparities for the Galaxy S26 lineup, set to debut in early 2026.
Exynos 2600: A Promising Yet Challenged Contender
The Exynos 2600, manufactured using Samsung Foundry’s 2nm SF2 process with third-generation Gate-All-Around (GAA) technology, promises notable improvements over its predecessor, the Exynos 2400. According to the leak, the Exynos 2600 scores approximately 2,950 in Geekbench 6 single-core tests and 10,200 in multi-core tests, reflecting a 20% and 15% boost, respectively, over the Exynos 2400. Its Xclipse 960 GPU, based on AMD’s RDNA architecture, reportedly achieves a 3DMark Wild Life Extreme score of 5,800 and 85 FPS in GFXBench’s Aztec Ruins test, a 60% improvement over the Exynos 2400’s GPU.
These gains stem from the 2nm process, which offers 12% higher performance, 25% better power efficiency, and a 5% smaller chip size compared to the 3nm SF3 node. The Exynos 2600’s 8-core CPU setup, featuring two Cortex-X high-performance cores and six Cortex-A cores, positions it as a capable chipset for flagship devices. However, with a reported 40% production yield, supply constraints may limit its use, potentially echoing the Exynos 990’s restricted rollout in the Galaxy S20 series.
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2: Setting the Performance Bar
In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, built on TSMC’s 3nm N3P process, appears to outshine the Exynos 2600. Leaked benchmarks indicate Geekbench 6 scores exceeding 4,000 for single-core and 11,000 for multi-core performance, surpassing the Exynos 2600 by a wide margin. Its upgraded Adreno GPU, rumored to feature a 16MB cache, delivers a 30% graphics performance increase over its predecessor, making it ideal for gaming and demanding applications.
The Snapdragon’s edge comes from its second-generation Oryon cores and optimized architecture, offering a 25% CPU performance boost over the Snapdragon 8 Elite used in the Galaxy S25 series. This positions the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 as the superior choice for raw power, likely powering the Galaxy S26 Ultra globally and the entire S26 lineup in regions like the US, China, Japan, and South Korea.
Dual-Chip Strategy and Regional Concerns
Samsung’s decision to use both the Exynos 2600 and Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 reflects its cost-saving strategy after relying solely on Snapdragon for the Galaxy S25 series, a move that reportedly cost $400 million due to high TSMC 3nm wafer costs and poor Exynos 2500 yields. The Exynos 2600 is expected to power the Galaxy S26 and S26+ (or S26 Edge) in markets like Europe and parts of Asia, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will likely be used in the S26 Ultra worldwide and all models in select regions.
This dual-chip approach has sparked criticism on X, with users recalling past Exynos variants’ struggles with heat management and efficiency compared to Snapdragon models. One post noted, “Exynos needs to match Snapdragon in thermals and battery life, not just benchmarks.” However, the Exynos 2600’s 2nm process could offer better power efficiency, and Samsung’s control over its IP may enable tighter software integration with One UI, potentially narrowing the gap.
What This Means for Consumers
The performance gap could influence buyer preferences, with the Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S26 Ultra likely appealing to those prioritizing top-tier performance. The Exynos 2600-equipped S26 and S26+ may attract cost-conscious buyers if priced lower, but Samsung must address thermal and efficiency concerns to avoid repeating past criticisms.
Samsung is reportedly aiming for 60% yield rates on its 2nm process by late 2025, which could bolster the Exynos 2600’s availability and performance. Pairing the chipset with rumored advancements like silicon-carbon batteries in the S26 Ultra could further enhance efficiency, making the Exynos variant more competitive.
The Road Ahead
With months until the Galaxy S26 launch, Samsung has time to refine the Exynos 2600 through software optimization and improved yields. While the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 currently leads in raw performance, the Exynos 2600’s efficiency potential and cost benefits could make it a compelling option if Samsung delivers on optimization. For now, the leak highlights the challenges of balancing performance, cost, and consumer expectations, setting the stage for a heated debate as the Galaxy S26 series nears.