While TSMC and Intel are locked in a fierce battle over process technology, Samsung has finally launched a product using its own 2nm GAA process, which also features an all-big-core design.flagship mobile processor Exynos 2600.
This processor is not only mass-produced using Samsung's 2nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) process, but it also features a major change in architecture design: following in the footsteps of Qualcomm and MediaTek, it adopts an all-big-core CPU design for the first time, completely abandoning the small core design.
In addition, Samsung emphasized the introduction of an innovative heat dissipation technology called HPB (Heat Path Block) in an attempt to wash away the negative impression of "overheating" in the past and demonstrate the maturity of its 2nm process to the industry.
A powerful 10-core configuration with all large cores, the C1 architecture makes its debut.
While the Exynos 2600 maintains Samsung's common 10-core configuration, it has undergone significant changes in core composition, completely abandoning the previous performance cores (small cores) and adopting an all-big-core design strategy. Based on Arm's latest Armv9.3 instruction set architecture and C1 series CPU design, it is equipped with one main core C1-Ultra with an operating clock speed of 3.8GHz, a 3-core C1-Pro with an operating clock speed of 3.25GHz, and a 6-core C1-Pro with an operating clock speed of 2.75GHz.
This configuration is clearly designed to compete with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and MediaTek's Dimensity 9400 and Dimensity 9500 series processors in multitasking and high-load gaming.
GPU performance doubled, AI computing power increased by 113 times.
In terms of graphics processing, Samsung continues its collaboration with AMD on the RDNA display architecture technology, employing the Xclipse 960 GPU based on the new architecture. It boasts a 2x improvement in computing performance and a 50% improvement in ray tracing performance compared to its predecessor. More importantly, it incorporates ENSS (Exynos Neural Supersampling) technology, emphasizing its ability to upscale and smooth images compared to NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR image resolution enhancement technologies, using AI to do so.
Regarding the commonly seen AI computing power performance, the Exynos 2600 features a 32K MAC NPU, which Samsung claims offers up to 113 times the performance of its predecessor, the Exynos 2500, in generative AI applications. Furthermore, the processor incorporates hardware-level hybrid post-quantum cryptography (PQC) security technology to ensure information security in the AI era.
In terms of image processing (ISP), AI Visual Perception Technology (VPS) has also been introduced, which can instantly identify and optimize details in photos and videos, reduce power consumption by 50%, and support image sensors with up to 3.2 million pixels, which may indicate that Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 series will be equipped with higher pixel camera specifications.
The key is heat dissipation: What is HPB technology?
To suppress the heat that may be generated by the all-large cores and the 2nm process, Samsung has introduced HPB cooling technology.
This technology combines High-K (high dielectric constant) materials to enhance the heat conduction path within the chip. Official data shows that HPB can reduce thermal resistance by 16%, allowing waste heat inside the chip to be conducted to external heat dissipation components more quickly. This is crucial for maintaining high-performance output (without throttling) for extended periods.
On the other hand, Samsung did not integrate a communication chip into the Exynos 2600, which actually reduces the possibility of overheating. However, this means that mobile data communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS satellite positioning, as well as NFC and UWB ultra-wideband connectivity, all require an additional connectivity chip to function. Therefore, Samsung is expected to equip the Exynos 2600 with a communication chip called Shannon 5410, which is expected to support 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G mobile communication, as well as NTN non-terrestrial network functionality with direct satellite connection.
Analysis: The Fate of the Galaxy S26 Series' "Dual Versions" and Samsung's Manufacturing Ambitions
In my opinion, the release of the Exynos 2600 has two layers of significance.
First, let's look at Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 series product lineup. Current market rumors indicate that the Exynos 2600 will only be used in the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ models in specific markets (such as Europe and South Korea). As for the top-of-the-line Galaxy S26 Ultra, and models in most markets, it is expected to still use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. This means that although Samsung is confident in its own chips, it is still taking a conservative and risk-averse approach in its global product strategy for top-tier flagship models.
Secondly, and more importantly, the Exynos 2600 serves as a powerful advertisement for Samsung's 2nm GAA (Gas-Average Component Analysis) process technology. With its foundry business facing challenges, Samsung urgently needs a mass-produced product to demonstrate the competitiveness of its 2nm process in terms of yield and power-to-efficiency ratio (PPA). If the Exynos 2600 delivers strong performance and heat management, it will help Samsung secure future foundry orders from Apple, NVIDIA, AMD, and other companies that require advanced process technologies.
But if the nightmare of "overheating" repeats itself, it will be a double blow to Samsung's foundry business.
