Latest news with #Exynos2600
Forbes
5 days ago
- Forbes
Android Circuit: Galaxy S25 Controversy, Honor 400 Pro Launch, Pixel 10 Pricing
Taking a look back at this week's news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S26 controversy, Snapdragon 8 arrives early, Pixel 10 Pro pricing, Android's desktop experience, Android XE expectations, Honor 400 Pro launch, and satellite connectivity in 2025. Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Android in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Apple news here on Forbes. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra There is a constant tension in the run-up to a new Samsung smartphone as the community wonders if it will ship with their favoured Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, or with Samsung's homegrown Exynos chipset. While the two chipsets remain in balance (with a trend to more performance to Snapdragon and more battery life to Exynos) there is still a perception in the community that Snapdragn is the better choice. Which means news that a split strategy may return for the Galaxy S26 will raise eyebrows: "It's too soon to tell whether the Galaxy S26 series will feature both Snapdragon and Exynos chips. One encouraging sign from February 2025 is that Samsung reportedly achieved a 30% yield rate in test production of the Exynos 2600 processor... It tentatively sounds like development is proceeding more smoothly with the new chip. So you can't count on a Snapdragon-only Galaxy S26 series just yet." (Android Authority). Staying with Qualcomm, the next generation of the Snapdragon 8 series—which will likely power all of the major Android-powered flagship smartphones in 2026, looks to be getting an early release. Which in turn allows the next generation of flagships to arrive ahead of the holidays: "At its Computex 2025 keynote, Qualcomm said the next Snapdragon Summit will take place between September 23 and September 25 in Hawaii… Smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 are expected to arrive in October 2025. They include the Xiaomi 16, OnePlus 15, Realme GT8 Pro and many others." (NotebookCheck). Google looks set to maintain the pricing across the board with the upcoming Pixel 10 family of devices. The Pixel 10 is expected to price-match the Pixel 9, as is the Pixel 10 Pro and 9 Pro. There is one exception, though, with the Pixel 10 Pro XL seeing a $100 rise on the entry-level model: "Given that the Pixel 9 Pro XL model with 256 GB of storage was priced at $1,199, last year's $1,099 model with 128 GB of storage could leave the Pixel 10 family. That would maintain the price of the 10 Pro XL 256 GB, and everything stays steady across the board. Alternatively, the larger display and potentially larger battery may push the bill of materials to the point where the team has no option but to push the price up." (Forbes). Unsurprisingly, Google's I/O developer conference leaned heavily into the future of AI (Casey Newton has a good summary of the magic and the madness coming up). Still, there was evolution in other areas that could have a notable impact on the ecosystem. One of those is Desktop Mode for Android. It's something Samsung users have with the DeX software. Google has now said that Android 16 will build on this: 'We've been collaborating with Samsung, building on the foundation of Samsung DeX, to bring enhanced desktop windowing capabilities in Android 16 for more powerful productivity workflows… Leaked builds of Android 16 previously revealed much of Google's progress on desktop mode, while an early look at Samsung's One UI 8 update showed that it seems Samsung's DeX is being redesigned to utilize the improvements that Google and Samsung have been collaborating on." (9to5Google). One area of I/O which pushes boundaries is Android XR. This is Google's take on packing the Gemini AI assistant into a pair of glasses. Google is joined by Samsung and Qualcomm in this endeavour. Naturally, the promotional videos show the hardware in the best light possible—much as Apple did with Vision Pro—so we await consumer hardware later this year: "Equipped with a camera, microphones and speakers, these glasses work in tandem with your phone, giving you access to your apps without ever having to reach in your pocket. And an optional in-lens display privately provides helpful information right when you need it. Pairing these glasses with Gemini means they see and hear what you do, so they understand your context, remember what's important to you and can help you throughout your day." (Google Blog). Honor has released two mid-range smartphones this week; the Pro model offers near flagship power levels, while the vanilla 400 should comfortably meet the expectations at the lower and more competitive price point. We'll have a closer look at the Honor 400 over the weekend, but for now, this is what you can expect from the 400 Pro: "The Honor 400 Pro is equipped with a 200MP main camera (1/1.4' sensor, f/1.9 lens with OIS), a 50MP telephoto (1/2' Sony IMX856, f/2.0 with OIS) and a 12MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2 112° lens) with macro capabilities. The front camera is a 50MP unit. This model is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, just like the 300 Pro. It is paired with 12GB of RAM and 256/512GB storage." (GSM Arena). Connecting to the internet over satellite is vital for digital nomads, heading out where even cellular signals cannot reach. Chris Dunphy takes a closer look at the current state of play in Satellite Connectivity. There are many options, all with their benefits, but one option remains suitable for all: "For those looking for mobile satellite broadband options, Starlink is currently the clear choice for most of the consumer market. Hopefully, Amazon will soon have a worthy offering in Kuiper that dials up the competitive heat. (Mobile Internet Resource Center). Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don't forget to follow me so you don't miss any coverage in the future, and of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last week's Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links you'd like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!
Phone Arena
6 days ago
- Phone Arena
Samsung Galaxy S26 will either make or break Exynos
It has been all but confirmed that Samsung is returning to Exynos and Snapdragon variants of its flagship phones across different markets. The Samsung Galaxy S26 and the S26 Plus will feature the Exynos 2600 in certain regions, while being powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 in others. Samsung has been working towards the Exynos 2600 chipset for a very long time. The company's foundry faced a lot of challenges during 2024 before finally being able to stabilize the 3 nm manufacturing process. Samsung immediately began work on its 2 nm processes so that it could ready the Exynos 2600 in time for the Galaxy S26 phones. After having been forced to equip the entire Galaxy S25 lineup with Snapdragon instead of the Exynos 2500 as planned, Samsung is determined to debut its new chipset next year. However, some reports from inside the industry, as well as a decision by Samsung, make me think that the company knows that its chips will still fall behind. The Samsung Galaxy S25 series used Snapdragon across the world. | Video credit — Samsung Samsung has reportedly planned on not using the Exynos 2600 in the Galaxy S26 Ultra regardless of region. Whenever this has happened before, like with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it was so Samsung could provide the 'Ultra' experience everywhere and ensure a competitive offering. Additionally, Galaxy phones equipped with Exynos chips have historically underperformed compared to their Snapdragon Samsung is not going to use the Exynos 2600 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, then it seems very likely that the company's own chipset is still not as good as the competition. Rumor has it that Samsung's 2 nm chips perform slightly worse than TSMC's ( Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company ) 3 nm counterparts. If that is the case, then it makes sense that Samsung would refrain from using the Exynos 2600 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. But the average consumer can't really tell the difference, so what's the problem? The average user doesn't pay attention to slight performance advantages. | Image credit — Samsung Samsung has spent a lot of money to make sure that Exynos can replace Snapdragon. There was a time during last year when it seemed like Samsung Foundry was doomed to shut down. The recovery has been exciting to see, but the company needs results yesterday . Apple and Samsung are ditching Qualcomm, as both companies have their own visions for the future. Samsung's plans include investing heavily into Exynos so that the Galaxy phones never have to resort to Snapdragon again. This is something that I am heavily in favor of because I want to see Samsung's devices go through the same revolution that Apple's products did with Apple silicon. However, the Exynos 2600 needs to impress the techies. It needs positive publicity so that consumers' knee-jerk negative reactions to the word 'Exynos' can start to fade. I'm already concerned after the news about the S26 Ultra, and I can only hope that Samsung knows what it's doing. If the Exynos 2600 mirrors its predecessors with less efficient power draw, heating problems, and lower performance scores, then it will only make Samsung's struggles infinitely worse. Samsung will question its resource allotment to Exynos, and the public will once again raise their pitchforks at the company. Exynos isn't likely to be canned any time soon on account of how expensive Snapdragon is, but if it doesn't perform like it should, it'll definitely mean harder times for Samsung Foundry. People aren't a fan of spending the same amount of money for a worse product — shocker, I know — even if they can't actually tell the difference. After the developments of these last few years, it seems to me like the entire future of Exynos depends on how it performs next year. If the Exynos variants of the Galaxy S26 are as capable as the Snapdragon ones, then it'll usher in a golden age for Samsung Foundry. But, keeping in mind the decision Samsung has made for the S26 Ultra, I think we can reasonably guess what the Exynos 2600 is going to actually perform like. I would love to be proven wrong, though.
Geeky Gadgets
08-05-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra – The Upgrade We've Been Waiting For
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to elevate the standards of premium smartphones, showcasing a blend of advanced technology and strategic innovation. Expected to launch in January 2026, this flagship device promises significant advancements in chipset technology, camera systems, and manufacturing processes. By combining a dual-chipset strategy with innovative hardware, Samsung aims to solidify its position as a leader in the competitive smartphone market. Watch this video on YouTube. Dual-Chipset Strategy: Exynos 2600 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Samsung's dual-chipset strategy for the Galaxy S26 Ultra reflects a calculated approach to balancing performance, efficiency, and regional market demands. The device will feature two distinct processors, each tailored to specific regions: Exynos 2600: Built using Samsung's advanced 2nm process technology, the Exynos 2600 is designed to deliver improved energy efficiency and enhanced performance compared to its predecessor, the Exynos 2500. This chipset will primarily be available in European markets, although production constraints may limit its distribution. Built using Samsung's advanced 2nm process technology, the Exynos 2600 is designed to deliver improved energy efficiency and enhanced performance compared to its predecessor, the Exynos 2500. This chipset will primarily be available in European markets, although production constraints may limit its distribution. Snapdragon 8 Gen 4: In regions such as the United States, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. Renowned for its robust performance and versatility, this chipset is a staple for high-end devices. Samsung's reported efforts to manufacture Snapdragon chips in-house could further strengthen its semiconductor business while reducing reliance on external suppliers. This dual approach enables Samsung to optimize production efficiency while catering to the unique needs of different markets. By using the strengths of both chipsets, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is poised to deliver a seamless and consistent user experience globally. 2nm Process Technology: A Breakthrough in Semiconductor Manufacturing The adoption of 2nm process technology represents a significant milestone for Samsung's semiconductor division. This advanced manufacturing process allows for the creation of smaller, more efficient transistors, resulting in improved performance and reduced power consumption. By integrating this technology into the Exynos 2600, Samsung not only enhances the capabilities of its flagship chipset but also reinforces its position as a leader in semiconductor innovation. This achievement has broader implications beyond the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Competing with industry giants like TSMC, Samsung's use of 2nm technology strengthens its competitiveness in the global semiconductor market. Additionally, this advancement could attract more clients to Samsung's foundry services, further expanding its influence in the industry. Innovative Camera Technology: 200-Megapixel Periscope Camera The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to feature a new 200-megapixel periscope camera, a development that could redefine mobile photography. This innovation is expected to deliver unparalleled zoom capabilities and exceptional image clarity, appealing to both photography enthusiasts and professionals. Periscope cameras use a folded lens design, allowing higher optical zoom levels without increasing the device's thickness. If realized, this feature would provide DSLR-like performance in a smartphone, setting a new benchmark for mobile photography. By incorporating such advanced camera technology, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could distinguish itself from competitors and attract users seeking top-tier photographic capabilities. Expanding Foundry Operations and Strategic Regional Distribution Samsung's dual-chipset strategy extends to its broader manufacturing and operational goals. By producing Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chips in-house, Samsung aims to expand its foundry business, reduce production costs, and enhance its control over the supply chain. This move aligns with the company's long-term objective of strengthening its semiconductor division and competing more effectively with rivals. The regional allocation of chipsets also reflects Samsung's strategic planning. By assigning Exynos processors to European markets and Snapdragon processors to other regions, Samsung can better manage supply chain challenges while addressing the diverse needs of its global customer base. This approach not only optimizes resource allocation but also ensures that consumers in different regions receive a device tailored to their specific requirements. January 2026 Launch: A Strategic Market Entry Samsung's tradition of early-year flagship launches continues with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, expected to debut in January 2026. This timing positions the device as a frontrunner in the competitive smartphone market, allowing Samsung to capture consumer interest and demand for innovative technology. The early launch also provides Samsung with a strategic advantage, allowing it to set the tone for the year's premium smartphone offerings. As anticipation builds, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a landmark release, combining innovative features with strategic business decisions. By focusing on advanced technology, regional customization, and manufacturing efficiency, Samsung is poised to deliver a device that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its global audience. Find more information on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by browsing our extensive range of articles, guides and tutorials. Source & Image Credit: Demon's Tech Filed Under: Android News, Mobile Phone News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
GSM Arena
06-05-2025
- GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy S26 series once again rumored to mark a return to Exynos
This year's flagship Galaxy S25 family has entirely been powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset by Qualcomm, no matter where you live, due to the yield issues with Samsung's own Exynos 2500 SoC. This has been rumored to change next year, and today yet another rumor 'confirms' (as much as any rumor can) that the Galaxy S26 models will have the Exynos 2600 chipset inside - but, due to yield issues, these Exynos-powered S26 units might only be launching in Europe. For a while Europe has been Samsung's preferred market for Exynos chips, and it remains a mystery why. But if this rumor pans out, it's looking like Europe will once again get the short end of the performance stick, as the same source claims the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will be ahead of the Exynos 2600, unsurprisingly. Interestingly, Samsung's System LSI division, which designed the Exynos 2500, is said to have incurred an estimated loss of around $400 million from the fact that Samsung hasn't used that chip in the S25 family. So the company obviously wouldn't want something like that repeated. Source
Forbes
03-05-2025
- Forbes
Samsung Galaxy S26: Bad News For Millions Of Users, Report Claims
Every phone in the Galaxy S25 range has the same super-fast processor inside: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. But things may not be so simple in next year's flagship phones. Samsung also makes its own silicon, the Exynos series, and it looks like it may be bringing it back for European users, at least. That's according to a new report from SamMobile. 'Just because Samsung used the Snapdragon 8 Elite across the entire Galaxy S25 lineup doesn't mean it won't be bringing Exynos back to the lineup. There have already been multiple reports suggesting that the Exynos 2600 will be utilized for the Galaxy S26 series. What remains unknown at this point in time is how this Exynos/ Snapdragon split would be managed,' the report says. As it says, there have already been indications that Qualcomm's chips wouldn't be in every S26, but what it describes as new information suggests that European customers will be the recipients of Exynos chips. 'Based on the rumors in the X leaks echo chamber, the Exynos 2600 will be used for the Galaxy S26 but due to yield constraints on the 2nm process, it may only be shipped in Europe. This means that the Snapdragon chipset would be used everywhere else,' it goes on. So, why is this bad news? The rumors referred to come from an industry note published on X by @Jukanlosreve, a Korea-based commentator, who comments that Exynos 2600 is the chip that's expected to be used. 'An industry source emphasized that even in the AP for the S26, Qualcomm's Snapdragon shows a 'clear' performance advantage over Exynos,' they say. In past years when there has been a split of different processors, it's routinely been the users with Exynos chips who have complained. What's not clear yet is whether the split will be across all models or whether the top-flight phone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be Snapdragon-only worldwide, something that would reflect what happened when the S24 was released. In that year, the S24 Ultra had Snapdragon worldwide.
