Exynos 2600 Seen as ‘Premature’ for Galaxy S26 Models; Initial Production Limited to 15,000 Wafers Amid Concerns of Low Yields

Samsung’s Exynos 2600: Production Challenges Ahead

Samsung is reportedly advancing towards mass production of its Exynos 2600, intended for the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. However, the company faces ongoing challenges related to its 2nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) yields, causing concerns within the industry as the production figures remain inconsistent. Initial reports indicated a yield rate of 50%, but recent updates suggest that only 15, 000 wafers are available, leading industry experts to label the Exynos 2600 as ‘premature.’

Current Yield Rates and Implications

While Samsung has set new yield targets at 70%, the data from Dealsite indicates that only about 30% of Galaxy S26 units will integrate the 2nm GAA chipset due to initial production counts. Earlier claims, showcasing the Exynos 2600’s competitive edge against rivals such as Apple’s A19 Pro and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, suggested that up to half of the S26 series would be equipped with this chipset.

Shifts in Product Configuration

Recent findings indicate that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will likely dominate the Galaxy S26 lineup, pushing Samsung to enhance its Exynos 2600 yields. Moreover, an insider noted that the first 2nm GAA chipset is considered too ‘premature’ for comprehensive use across all flagship models. Previous expectations posited that the Galaxy S26 Ultra would feature the Exynos 2600, but this appears less certain following the latest developments.

Future Production Plans

In parallel to the Exynos 2600, Samsung intends to initiate pilot production of Tesla’s AI6 on the same 2nm GAA architecture. A company representative has expressed a commitment to reaching a 50% yield target moving forward, indicating that progress in next-generation lithography has not unfolded as smoothly as anticipated. Sources within the semiconductor industry suggest that both the Exynos 2600 and AI6 will be critical reference points, facilitating partnerships with clients such as Qualcomm.

Qualcomm’s Position in the Face of Yield Challenges

Qualcomm is assessing the 2nm GAA samples of its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but it seems the lower yield rates may deter them from placing further orders at this moment. Nonetheless, Samsung retains a window of opportunity to refine its processes and enhance its competitive stance against giants like TSMC in the semiconductor space.

For the latest updates, visit the source: Dealsite

Additional insights available at: Wccftech