Samsung proudly boasts its Galaxy S series as among the most powerful smartphones on the market, but that power comes with a hefty price tag. The South Korean tech giant faces a crucial decision regarding the balance between top-tier performance and the costs associated with the chipsets that power these high-end devices. Samsung has previously collaborated with Qualcomm for its Snapdragon chips, but could the upcoming Galaxy S26 see a return to the company’s own Exynos brand?

The Exynos Dilemma for the Galaxy S26

Currently, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 lineup operates exclusively on Qualcomm processors. However, reports from FN News by Kim Jun-seok and Im Su-bin suggest that there’s hope for the return of the Exynos 2600 chipset for the Galaxy S26. Notably, the new Exynos 2600 is expected to deliver a significantly higher yield than its predecessor, the Exynos 2500. In the past, lower yields forced Samsung into a partnership exclusively with Qualcomm for the Galaxy S25 series.

Historically, Samsung has alternated between Exynos and Qualcomm chipsets, a decision largely influenced by geographic regions. The tendency has been for the high-end models to utilize Qualcomm’s offerings, renowned for their performance, while Exynos chips offer a more cost-effective alternative that could enhance battery life without a dramatic drop in overall performance. For those who are in the market for an affordable yet dependable Samsung device, the Exynos option may be less of a sacrifice than expected.

Qualcomm’s Role in the Galaxy S Evolution

The Galaxy S Ultra model is typically the beacon of power within the series, consistently fueled by Qualcomm processing power worldwide. This year, Qualcomm enhanced the experience by unveiling the overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 For Galaxy chip, exclusive to Samsung. This prompts a pivotal question for the community: Will the Galaxy S26 lineup feature Qualcomm’s superior (but pricier) Snapdragons across the board, or will Samsung strategically integrate its own Exynos chips in the lower-tier models to optimize costs?

The Game-Changing Decision Ahead

According to the FN News report, Samsung is gearing up for the first mass production of Galaxy S26 prototypes to begin in May. This phase will provide critical insights to aid in the decision-making process regarding the specifications of the new lineup.

As Samsung navigates this complex landscape of performance, cost, and consumer expectations, the choice it makes will not only impact the architecture of the Galaxy S26 but could also redefine the brand's strategy in the competitive smartphone arena. Will Samsung reclaim its Exynos heritage, or will it cement Qualcomm’s dominance in its flagship devices? The countdown to an announcement begins – stay tuned!