Samsung Galaxy S26: the end of AMD graphics?

Samsung is finally cutting the cord. For years, the Galaxy lineup has played second fiddle to Qualcomm’s graphics prowess, even with the AMD-partnered "Xclipse" experiments. But the Exynos 2600, recently confirmed for the Galaxy S26, marks the beginning of a messy divorce. Samsung is transitioning to a 100% in-house GPU design. While this first generation still leans on AMD’s basic framework, it’s the first time Samsung has taken the "Designed by Samsung" label to the silicon level.

The Exynos 2600 is grabbing headlines as the world’s first mobile chip built on a 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) process. This isn't just a marketing number; it’s a massive efficiency play. By shrinking the node, Samsung is claiming a 39% boost in CPU performance and a 113% jump in AI processing. The goal? Run massive generative AI models locally on the S26 without nuking your battery. The chipset also introduces Heat Path Block (HPB) technology, a new thermal layer designed to kill the overheating reputation that has plagued Exynos for a decade.

The GPU inside the S26 is dubbed the Xclipse 960. Even though it still utilizes AMD's Radeon architecture, Samsung has taken over the physical design and optimization. This "semi-custom" middle ground is a stepping stone. Reports suggest that by 2027, the Exynos 2800 (likely in the Galaxy S28) will debut with a completely proprietary Samsung architecture. By dumping AMD's licensing fees, Samsung can finally stop paying "tax" on every chip sold, potentially lowering the manufacturing cost of the Galaxy S series while tuning the hardware specifically for Galaxy AI.

For gamers, the shift looks promising on paper. The Xclipse 960 supposedly delivers double the compute performance and a 50% increase in ray tracing compared to last year's tech. Samsung is also debuting Exynos Neural Super Sampling (ENSS), an AI upscaling tool that works like DLSS for your phone. It allows you to play high-end titles with 120Hz-like smoothness without the typical thermal throttling. If the 2nm yields hold up, the S26 might finally be the year Samsung closes the gap with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.