Samsung has begun production of prototypes for its upcoming Exynos 2600 processor, the first from the company to be manufactured using a 2-nanometer node, marking a milestone in the South Korean giant’s semiconductor strategy. The chip is intended to power the future Galaxy S26 series, scheduled for release in early 2026.
### A Leap in Miniaturization: 2 nm on the Horizon
According to industry sources in South Korea, Samsung Foundry—the chip manufacturing division—has already started mass production of prototypes of the Exynos 2600. This new chip represents Samsung’s most advanced leap in process technology, following the completion of production for the Exynos 2500 at 3 nm, which is set to debut soon in the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Manufacturing at 2 nm signifies a significant improvement in both energy efficiency and performance, crucial factors in competing with TSMC, the current market leader, which already supplies 3 nm and more advanced processors to most premium mobile manufacturers.
### Goal: Exceed 50% Yield in Production
During the initial trial production phases, Samsung achieved a yield rate of 30%, a figure that has been increasing thanks to close collaboration between Samsung Foundry and the System LSI design team. Now, the target is to exceed a yield of 50% without compromising the chip’s performance, a key challenge before mass production begins.
The “risk production” process, scheduled for the end of this year, will verify the quality and reliability of the Exynos 2600 through functional testing and process and performance security analysis. If the results are satisfactory, mass production will commence by late 2025, and the chip will arrive in the first Galaxy S26 models in early 2026.
### The Future of Exynos and the Semiconductor Leadership Battle
The success of the Exynos 2600 is crucial for the future of Samsung Foundry, which aims to regain market share against TSMC and strengthen the brand’s competitiveness in high-end processors. If the new chip excels in efficiency, performance, and thermal control, it will give a boost to Samsung’s semiconductor, mobile, and design divisions.
Moreover, the integration of this chip into the next-generation Galaxy S26—expected in February or March of 2026—will be closely watched by the entire industry, as it could signify the return of Exynos as a benchmark in the high-end market and demonstrate Samsung’s ability to compete in the sector’s most advanced processes.