Samsung to Use Custom-Made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 Processor in Galaxy S26 Series

Strategic Insights -

Samsung is facing a processor debate, as every year the company struggles to decide between its in-house Exynos chip and Snapdragon's latest flagship generation chip. However, this year, Samsung may use a custom-made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 processor for its Galaxy S26 5G series, which could be cost-effective and maintain the pricing of the models. According to a tipster, the Galaxy S26 will likely use a "Samsung-made" Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip with the model number SM8850s, which is said to be cheaper than the TSMC-made processor. This move may come as good news for buyers, but the performance could be a concern, as Samsung's fabrication process struggles to match the TSMC process.

Key Takeaways:

  • Samsung may use a custom-made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 processor in its Galaxy S26 5G series.
  • The custom-made processor will be cheaper than the TSMC-made processor.
  • The Galaxy S26 will likely use a "Samsung-made" Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip with the model number SM8850s.
  • The custom-made processor may not have the same performance as the TSMC-made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2.
  • The use of a custom-made processor may help Samsung maintain the pricing of the Galaxy S26 models.
  • The Galaxy S26 Ultra may have an upgraded camera setup, slimmer build, and support for more than 45W charging.
  • Several upgrades are expected in the Galaxy S26 series.

Statistics:

  • The "Samsung-made" Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip is expected to be cheaper than the TSMC-made processor.
  • The Galaxy S26 Ultra may support more than 45W charging.
  • The upgrade cycle for the Galaxy S line is expected to take place in January 2026.
  • The anticipation is that the Samsung-made chip may not be as powerful as the TSMC-made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2.

Sources:

  • Digital Chat Station on Weibo