Samsung’s highly anticipated Exynos 2600 processor, rumored to be the powerhouse behind the upcoming Galaxy S26, has surfaced on Geekbench with initial performance figures that are raising more than a few eyebrows. The early results for the Exynos 2600 are falling short of the lofty expectations, leaving many wondering if the chip can truly compete with industry leaders.
- The Exynos 2600 processor appeared on Geekbench with scores of 2,155 in single-core and 7,788 in multi-core tests.
- These scores place it behind the Exynos 2500 found in the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
- Competitors like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 appear to maintain their lead.
- The Exynos 2600 is a prototype, and performance could improve before its official release.
- The processor features a ten-core configuration and an alleged Xclipse 960 GPU.
A “Giant with Mud Feet”?
Initial benchmarks for the Exynos 2600 reveal scores of 2,155 for single-core and 7,788 for multi-core performance in Geekbench 6.4. These numbers are a noticeable step down from what many anticipated, especially when compared to the Exynos 2500 in the Galaxy Z Flip 7. This performance doesn’t quite align with earlier whispers of a significant leap over Qualcomm and MediaTek. It seems the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and Dimensity 9500 are still setting the pace.
The technical configuration follows a familiar pattern: a ten-core setup with one core clocked at 3.55 GHz, three at 2.96 GHz, and six at 2.46 GHz. It also includes an alleged Xclipse 960 GPU, theoretically built on AMD’s RDNA architecture. Adding to the intrigue, some reports suggest a more internal development approach by Samsung, which could introduce further variables.
Can Samsung Stage a Comeback?
It’s crucial to remember that the Exynos 2600 seen in these tests is an engineering sample. Much can change before the official launch. Samsung has been enhancing its chip production, particularly with its SF2 process, meaning more prototypes are likely before the final version is ready. The adoption of a design featuring all “P” cores (Performance cores) might be a nod to MediaTek and could signal genuine advancements in AI capabilities due to new SME instructions.
While there’s no definitive confirmation that this System-on-Chip will power the Galaxy S26, rumors point to an early 2026 debut. The device is expected to arrive in various colors and configurations, typical for the brand’s flagship releases.
