Tech media outlet SmartPrix published an article yesterday (November 23) reporting a breakthrough for Samsung's Exynos chip business. Thanks to significant improvements in yields for its 2-nanometer manufacturing process, Samsung plans to reintroduce its in-house Exynos chips in the Galaxy S27 Ultra flagship smartphone launching in 2027.
According to modezone.com, citing the article, Samsung's Galaxy S series flagships have followed a pattern in recent years: Only the "ultra-large" Ultra models get Qualcomm Snapdragon chips globally, while standard and versions often use Samsung's own Exynos processors in select regions—a strategy interpreted by the market as Samsung trailing in its chip rivalry with Qualcomm.
However, the latest reports indicate a significant breakthrough in Samsung's semiconductor division's next-generation 2nm manufacturing process, with production yields rapidly improving. Projections suggest Samsung's 2nm wafer monthly capacity will surge from 8,000 wafers in 2024 to 21,000 by the end of 2026—a staggering 163% increase.
This massive capacity boost will be sufficient to support high-volume shipments for models like the Galaxy S series flagships, enabling Samsung to equip the 2027 Galaxy S27 Ultra with its homegrown 2nm Exynos chip.
Additionally, Korean media ETNews reports that Samsung previously relied on partners like Doosan Tesna and Nepes for testing Exynos chip wafers. Still, now LB Semicon has joined as a testing partner for the Exynos 2600.
LB Semicon is currently installing equipment at its Ansan factory and plans to begin wafer testing by year-end. Affiliated with LB Group (a subsidiary of the LG Group), LB Semicon is an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) company. It will inspect wafers for electrical characteristics to detect defects, then forward qualified chips to the packaging stage.
That said, before Exynos officially returns to flagships, Qualcomm will continue to dominate at least one more generation. Reports confirm that the Galaxy S26 series, launching in 2026, will feature the top-tier S26 Ultra equipped globally with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.
The primary reason is that Samsung's current chip yields and performance still lag behind those of its competitors, failing to meet the stringent demands of flagship devices. At that time, the standard Galaxy S26 and S26+ are expected to stick with the regional mix of Exynos and Snapdragon chips.
The above content is compiled by ModeZone, a fashion and entertainment magazine.
