Samsung has announced the Exynos 2600, the first smartphone chip in the world to utilize a 2nm manufacturing process. This new processor, created with Samsung Foundry’s 2nm GAA technology, aims to enhance sustained performance and address issues of heat and throttling seen in earlier Exynos models.
The Exynos 2600 features a 10-core CPU based on Arm’s v9.3 architecture, which includes one C1 Ultra core running at 3.8GHz and nine C1 Pro cores operating at up to 3.25GHz. Samsung claims a 39% improvement in overall CPU performance compared to the Exynos 2500, opting for a design that prioritizes sustained high performance over traditional efficiency cores.
In terms of AI capabilities, the new NPU offers a significant boost, providing up to 113% faster AI processing than its predecessor. The chip also supports virtualization security and hardware-backed hybrid post-quantum cryptography, enabling advanced on-device AI tasks and enhanced data protection.
On the graphics front, the Xclipse 960 GPU delivers double the computing performance of the previous generation and improves ray tracing capabilities in games by up to 50%. It incorporates AI-driven frame generation and upscaling for smoother gaming experiences while managing power consumption effectively.
Camera features are notable as well, with support for sensors up to 320MP, zero-shutter-lag capture at 108MP, and video recording capabilities of up to 8K at 30fps or 4K at 120fps with HDR. Power consumption for imaging has been reduced by 50% compared to the Exynos 2500, thanks to advancements in AI-based noise reduction and visual processing.
To improve heat management, Samsung has introduced a new Heat Path Block technology that utilizes High-k EMC materials for better heat dissipation, allowing the Exynos 2600 to maintain high performance during extended workloads.
The Exynos 2600 supports LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.1 storage, as well as 4K displays at up to 120Hz and HDR10+ playback. Connectivity features, including 5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, are expected to be managed by separate chips. The processor is currently in mass production and is anticipated to power the Galaxy S26 series, set to launch in early 2026.
Samsung Exynos 2600 Specifications:
- Process: Samsung Foundry 2nm GAA
- CPU Architecture: Arm v9.3
- CPU Configuration:
- 1× C1 Ultra core @ 3.8GHz
- 3× C1 Pro cores @ 3.25GHz
- 6× C1 Pro cores @ 2.75GHz
- CPU Performance: Up to 39% faster than Exynos 2500
- GPU: Xclipse 960 (AMD RDNA-based)
- 2× compute performance vs. Xclipse 950
- Up to 50% better ray tracing
- Supports Exynos Neural Super Sampling (ENSS)
- NPU:
- 113% AI performance improvement
- Hardware-backed Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)
- AI virtualization security support
- Camera Support:
- Up to 320MP sensors
- 108MP zero-shutter-lag capture
- Video:
- 8K @ 30fps HDR
- 4K @ 120fps HDR
- Samsung APV codec support
- Image Processing:
- AI Visual Perception System (VPS)
- Deep Learning Video Noise Reduction (DVNR)
- 50% lower ISP power consumption vs. Exynos 2500
- Display Support:
- Up to 4K resolution
- Up to 120Hz refresh rate
- HDR10+ and HDR gaming
- Memory Support: LPDDR5X
- Storage Support: UFS 4.1
- Thermal Technology: Heat Path Block (HPB) with High-k EMC material
- Connectivity:
- External modem required (no integrated 5G modem)
- Separate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip expected
- Production Status: In mass production
- Expected Devices: Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ (early 2026)
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Source:
www.yugatech.com
