Samsung is making strides with its Exynos chips, suggesting they haven’t abandoned them just yet. Recent reports indicate that Samsung Foundry is seeing promising outcomes with their new SF2 technology, a 3 nm class node. Among these test batches is the Exynos 2600, which has achieved a commendable 30% yield. This level of success hints that the Exynos 2600 could potentially make its debut in the highly anticipated Galaxy S26, expected next year.
Samsung’s SF2 node is off to a robust start. Despite its name suggesting a more advanced 2 nm-class chip, the SF2 remains at the 3 nm level. Achieving a 30% yield in initial tests is significant, especially when compared to its predecessor, which took longer to reach similar yields. With continued progress and improvements, should SF2 attain approximately 60% yields by the time it hits mass production in late 2025, users could indeed see the Exynos 2600 integrated into the Galaxy S26 lineup.
Intriguingly, the Exynos 2600 might forgo the AMD Radeon iGPU that was previously considered and could instead opt for an in-house graphical solution. This development is noteworthy, although high-end models like the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 8 might continue with Qualcomm’s technology. We’ll gain a clearer understanding of the Exynos 2600’s potential as soon as the Exynos 2500 makes its appearance with the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7 later this year.
Internal sources have designated the Exynos 2600 with the codename “Tethys”. On paper, its node should have an edge over competitors like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500, which are expected to utilize TSMC’s N3P node. However, in practice, TSMC has traditionally performed better. Initially, there was consideration of TSMC manufacturing Samsung’s Exynos chips, but those discussions ended early on.
The success of SF2 is crucial for Samsung as it could shape the future of their foundry division. The company has already retired some older nodes, such as the 4 nm, due to reduced demand and is focusing on new advancements. Presently, SF2 has secured partnerships with PFN and Ambarella, and there’s speculation that Qualcomm might return to Samsung Foundry due to its absence from TSMC N2’s customer list. With major players like Apple, Intel, AMD, and Nvidia on that list, Qualcomm’s potential re-engagement with Samsung could be pivotal.
Samsung’s venture into advanced chip technology with the SF2 node and the Exynos 2600 not only highlights their commitment to innovation but also sets the stage for intriguing developments in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. As details unfold, enthusiasts and industry watchers alike will be keen to see how these efforts play out in future Samsung devices.
