Overview
- Samsung designed the Xclipse 960 GPU layout for the Exynos 2600 while continuing to license AMD’s architecture, a transitional step toward full GPU IP ownership.
- The 2nm Exynos 2600 adds a new Heat Path Block structure intended to curb thermal throttling that affected earlier Exynos chips.
- Korean reports say Samsung plans to introduce its own GPU architecture with the Exynos 2800 targeted around 2027.
- Industry sources expect the Exynos 2600 to power roughly 30% of Galaxy S26 units in Europe and Korea, with the S26 Ultra using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.
- Samsung has been scaling up GPU talent, including hiring former AMD executive John Rayfield, and is positioning future in-house GPUs for phones, XR, automotive and robotics.