Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Exynos 2600: A Turning Point or Another Gamble?

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is already stirring up a debate long before its official launch, expected in early 2026. This time, it’s not just about design tweaks or camera specs – it’s about the heart of the phone: the processor. For years, Samsung has juggled between its in-house Exynos chips and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon line, but now rumors suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra could ship with the Exynos 2600 in many markets instead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.

Our recent poll revealed something unexpected: while nearly half of respondents (49.29%) are firmly against the return of Exynos, a surprising 41.72% are willing to give the Exynos 2600 a shot. That’s a major shift in sentiment, considering the heavy stigma surrounding Samsung’s in-house silicon. And only around 9% of voters said they don’t really care what chip powers the S26 Ultra.

With 1,189 votes tallied, the divide is clear but not one-sided anymore.

Exynos vs Snapdragon: A story of trust issues

Exynos chips are Samsung’s own creation, while Snapdragon processors come from Qualcomm. Historically, Snapdragon versions of Galaxy flagships were more efficient and powerful, especially in terms of sustained performance and thermal management. This became painfully obvious with the Galaxy S20 series, where the Exynos model lagged behind its Snapdragon sibling in benchmarks and real-world endurance. Many users felt shortchanged when paying the same premium price but getting weaker performance depending on their region.

That sense of inequality led to widespread criticism and even petitions demanding Snapdragon-only models. For a while, Samsung listened – launching the Galaxy S23 series exclusively with Snapdragon chips worldwide. But then the split returned with the S24, and once again the brand faces scrutiny with the S26 Ultra rumors.

Why some fans are cautiously optimistic

Despite the history, the Exynos 2600 might represent a turning point. Samsung reportedly plans to manufacture it using a 2nm process, which would make it more advanced than Qualcomm’s 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite. If true, this could bring significant gains in efficiency and performance. Early leaks even suggest benchmark scores of 3,309 in single-core and 11,256 in multi-core, putting it ahead of Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro in multi-core results. Those numbers are nothing to scoff at, and they explain why over 40% of poll participants are open-minded about the possibility of an Exynos-powered Ultra.

It’s also worth noting that real-world differences between Exynos and Snapdragon models often turned out smaller than benchmarks suggested. Daily use like scrolling, messaging, and streaming usually felt identical, though gamers and power users noticed heat and throttling. If Samsung can solve these pain points, Exynos may finally shed its underdog reputation.

The psychology of brand loyalty

The Exynos debate goes beyond performance metrics – it touches on consumer trust. Snapdragon has built a reputation as the safe bet, while Exynos carries the baggage of past failures. For many fans, this isn’t just about speed tests; it’s about whether Samsung is willing to offer consistency across all markets. Nobody wants to feel like they’re buying the “inferior” version of a thousand-dollar phone just because of geography.

Yet the poll results highlight that loyalty to Samsung remains strong. Nearly half of respondents are ready to forgive and try again, which shows a surprising willingness to move past old grudges if the company delivers on its promises. In other words, the community seems open to a redemption arc for Exynos – something that could benefit Samsung’s long-term strategy of reducing reliance on Qualcomm.

What’s at stake for Samsung

If the Exynos 2600 lives up to the hype, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could mark a turning point in how fans view Samsung’s chipmaking capabilities. Success would mean not just cost savings for Samsung, but also a chance to control more of its supply chain and innovation cycle. Failure, on the other hand, could reignite criticism and push even more users toward Snapdragon-only alternatives – or even rival brands.

For now, all eyes are on the benchmarks, leaks, and eventual reviews that will tell us whether Samsung has finally cracked the code. Until then, the debate rages on: Exynos versus Snapdragon, trust versus skepticism, risk versus reward. And judging from the poll, the battle is closer than it has been in years.

So, is 2026 the year Exynos finally proves itself worthy of the Ultra badge? We’ll find out soon enough. But one thing is certain – this time, the chip at the core of the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be just as much a headline feature as its cameras or design.