Will the Galaxy S26 Feature Qualcomm Power? New Snapdragon Hints Revealed

The tech world is buzzing with anticipation as Samsung prepares for its next major flagship release. With the official launch date for the next generation of Galaxy devices now confirmed, enthusiasts are looking for every clue regarding the hardware that will power these highly anticipated smartphones. One of the most significant questions remains: will Samsung continue its dual-chip strategy, or is a major shift toward Qualcomm on the horizon?

On Tuesday, Samsung announced that it will launch the next Galaxy S series smartphones, which are expected to be the **Galaxy S26**, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, on February 25, 2026. According to multiple leaks about them, the base and the mid-model will feature Samsung’s latest flagship SoC for mobile devices, the Exynos 2600.

Whereas the top-of-the-line model will feature Qualcomm’s latest flagship chipset for mobile devices, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. While there has been no official information on the matter, Qualcomm has now strongly hinted that the Galaxy S26 series will feature a Snapdragon SoC.

Qualcomm has quoted Samsung’s post announcing the date for the Galaxy S26 launch, saying, “Something big is coming.” It strongly suggests that one or more phones in the lineup will feature a Snapdragon SoC.

Samsung Exynos 2600 vs. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

While the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is made on a 3nm fabrication process, the Exynos 2600 is made on a 2nm fabrication process. The former features an octa-core CPU configuration (2x Oryon V3 Phoenix L at 4.74GHz + 6x Oryon V3 Phoenix M at 3.62GHz), whereas the latter features a deca-core CPU configuration (1x Cortex C1 Ultra at 3.9GHz + 3x Cortex C1 Pro at 3.25GHz + 6x Cortex C1 Pro at 2.75GHz).

The one from Qualcomm features the Adreno 840 GPU, and that from Samsung uses the Xclipse 960 GPU. In some aspects, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 beats the Exynos 2600, and in others, vice versa. It will be interesting to see how they perform in the Galaxy S26 and which one turns out to be best overall in daily usage. Fortunately, we will have to wait only thirteen days to know for sure.

When is the official launch date for the Galaxy S26?

Samsung has officially confirmed that the Galaxy S26 series, including the Plus and Ultra models, will be unveiled at an Unpacked event on February 25, 2026.

Which models will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?

Current leaks and teases suggest that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will definitely feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the base and Plus models may use the Exynos 2600 in certain regions.

What is the main technical difference between the two processors?

The Exynos 2600 is rumored to be built on a more advanced 2nm process with a deca-core CPU, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 utilizes a 3nm process with an octa-core Oryon CPU architecture.

Why did Qualcomm tease the Samsung launch?

By quoting Samsung's announcement with "Something big is coming," Qualcomm is signaling its continued partnership and the high-performance capabilities of its chips within the upcoming flagship series.

🔎 As we approach the official reveal, the competition between Samsung’s in-house Exynos chips and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon silicon remains one of the most exciting narratives in mobile technology. Whether you are looking for the raw power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite or the efficiency of the 2nm Exynos 2600, the Galaxy S26 series promises to set a new benchmark for the industry. Stay tuned as we bring you full coverage of the Unpacked event in just a few days.