Samsung is revisiting its internal silicon strategy, with new industry reports suggesting the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 8 could feature the company’s next-generation Exynos 2600 chipset when it launches next summer.
Exynos is expected to power Samsung’s next flip phone
According to sources familiar with internal discussions, Samsung’s Mobile Experience (MX) division is actively considering equipping the Galaxy Z Flip 8 with the Exynos 2600 processor. This would be a continuation of the company’s recent shift towards using its own silicon in the Flip lineup, which began with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 earlier this year. Previously, Samsung relied almost exclusively on Qualcomm chips for its clamshell foldable devices, but improving Exynos performance appears to have finally changed that approach.
The Exynos 2600 is particularly significant because it is the first chip to be mass-produced using Samsung Foundry’s advanced 2nm process. While Samsung Foundry is working on several customer projects with this node, the Exynos 2600 is the only product currently in mass production. Therefore, its success is hugely important not only for smartphones, but also for Samsung’s broader semiconductor ambitions to challenge TSMC.
Initial internal performance reviews look very encouraging. Industry insiders claim that the Exynos 2600 delivers a major leap in AI capabilities on the device, with neural processing unit (NPU) performance said to be several times higher than Apple’s A-series and well ahead of rival Snapdragon platforms. GPU increases are also expected, potentially addressing the thermal and graphics-heavy issues seen in older foldable devices.
For Samsung, it’s not just about pure speed.
The company’s systems LSI division has been under intense pressure following delays related to previous Exynos launches, while its foundry business is still lagging behind its rivals. A robust, high-profile launch with the Exynos 2600 could help Samsung demonstrate the reliability of its cutting-edge 2nm manufacturing process and attract new external customers.
From a user perspective, the move could actually help with pricing. With memory and component costs soaring, Samsung has a big incentive to reduce its reliance on expensive third-party chips. Using its own processor helps the MX division manage costs while maintaining flagship performance, which is crucial in a premium but price-sensitive category like foldables.
However, Samsung isn’t going all out with Exynos yet. The productivity-focused Galaxy Z Fold 8 will reportedly continue to stick with the Qualcomm chip, reflecting a mixed-chip strategy depending on each device’s specific priorities. If testing goes smoothly, we can expect the Galaxy Z Flip 8 to launch next July with the Exynos 2600, setting the tone for Samsung’s flagship strategy through 2026.
