Samsung appears to be adopting a more in-house strategy for the upcoming Galaxy S26 series by potentially developing a customized version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip. Notably, this version may be manufactured using Samsung’s own advanced 2nm process, which could provide advantages over the standard TSMC-produced chip. Traditionally, Samsung has utilized different chipsets for its Galaxy S series based on regional markets, alternating between its Exynos chips and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors.

However, recent speculation suggests the company is making a return to the production of Snapdragon chips for the first time in several years. The planned Galaxy S26 lineup might feature a specially tweaked Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 variant made by Samsung. This potential move isn’t surprising given the growing collaboration between Samsung and Qualcomm.

Samsung has previously partaken in the production of several Snapdragon chips. However, a fully Samsung-manufactured Snapdragon flagship chip using their cutting-edge 2nm technology is causing considerable excitement in the tech community. The transition to a 2nm process offers noteworthy advantages, especially in power efficiency.

While the current Snapdragon 8 Elite is based on TSMC’s 3nm process—known for its power and efficiency—the hypothetical shift to a 2nm process could enhance battery life further. Despite the significance of the manufacturing process, overall chip performance also depends on architecture, software optimization, and other crucial factors. If these developments hold true, they could significantly impact the Galaxy S26 series, particularly the S26 Ultra which has historically featured Snapdragon hardware globally.

For markets like the United States, where Samsung typically offers Snapdragon chipsets, consumers could have access to a powerful 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 without having to opt for the premium model. Additionally, Samsung is concurrently developing its Exynos 2600, which will power a variety of Galaxy S26 models worldwide. This means that fans can expect advanced 2nm technology across all upcoming flagship devices.