Samsung Launches First 2nm Mobile Chip With Exynos 2600, Ahead of Apple's A20 [Video]

Samsung has officially entered the 2-nanometer (nm) era with its new Exynos 2600. This is a significant hardware milestone, especially as Apple's own shift to 2nm with the A20 chip isn't expected until the fall of 2026. By adopting Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistor architecture, Samsung says it has managed to pack more performance and better power efficiency into this chip than what is currently possible with the 3nm nodes found in current flagships like the iPhone 17 series.



The deca-core CPU uses a new layout that drops traditional "little" core clusters. Instead, it relies on a high-performance 3.8 GHz C1-Ultra core and nine middle cores—three for multi-threaded heavy lifting and six for system management. It is a structure built for responsiveness, helping the chip hit a reported 39% performance jump over the Exynos 2500. This extra headroom is essential for the new NPU, which sees a 113% boost in generative AI performance. That speed is intended to make on-device tasks like assistant functions and intelligent image editing feel nearly instantaneous. It also introduces hybrid Post-Quantum Cryptography, a mobile first designed to keep user data secure even as decryption technology advances.


Mobile gaming also gets a major lift through the Samsung Xclipse 960 GPU. Computing performance has doubled over the previous generation, driving a 50% increase in ray tracing speeds. Samsung is also debuting Exynos Neural Super Sampling (ENSS), an AI tool that handles resolution upscaling and frame generation to make gameplay feel up to three times smoother. This push for sustained, high-fidelity gaming mirrors Apple's recent strategy with the A19 Pro and its emphasis on desktop-class rendering.



For photography and video, the integrated ISP supports sensors up to 320MP and uses a Visual Perception System to identify fine details in real time while cutting power use by 50%. Low-light video is specifically improved through Deep Learning Video Noise Reduction and the inclusion of the professional-grade APV codec for better color precision. To keep the silicon from throttling during these intensive tasks, Samsung is using a new "Heat Path Block" (HPB) that lowers thermal resistance by 16%. This focus on moving heat away from the chip follows Apple's own thermal redesigns implemented to keep its latest Pro models stable under load.

The Exynos 2600 is currently in mass production and is expected to power the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus in markets like Europe and Asia. While TSMC is reportedly raising prices for its own advanced sub-5nm nodes, Samsung's early move to 2nm GAA architecture marks a clear attempt to claim leadership in the mobile silicon race.

Take a look at the video below for more details...