Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (OTC:SSNLF) is preparing to launch its first internally developed mobile graphics processor, marking a major turning point in its semiconductor strategy.
The move marks Samsung’s efforts to take closer control over core components of its smartphones and reduce its long-term reliance on external chip architectures.
The Exynos 2600 will equip the Galaxy S26
The new GPU will be integrated into Samsung’s next-generation Exynos 2600 mobile application processor, which is expected to power models in the upcoming Galaxy S26 series of smartphones.
Also read: AMD sets ambitious AI and profit goals by 2030
The chip is expected to be released in early 2026, the Korea Herald reported Friday, citing industry sources. Samsung engineers designed the GPU layout, while the underlying architecture remains licensed toAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD).
Samsung aims to completely internalize GPU design and architecture by 2027, taking a vertically integrated approach similar to that ofApple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL).
The Exynos 2600 also introduces new hardware designed to address performance and efficiency gaps seen in previous Exynos chips.
Strength of AI at AMD highlights transition
The continued use of AMD architecture underscores the chipmaker’s strong position in advanced computing, even as Samsung works toward independence.
AMD shares are up more than 78% year to date, driven by growing demand for AI chips, its partnerships with OpenAI et Oracle Corp. (NYSE:ORCL), and the excitement surrounding products like the Ryzen 9000 line and MI400 GPUs.
This dynamic has strengthened AMD’s position as a major challenger of Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) in the AI and data center markets.
Changes in the foundry and the race for memory
Previous reports indicated that AMD abandoned its orders for 4-nanometer chips from Samsung due to yield concerns and the impact of US tariffs, moving its production to the factory in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:TSM) in Arizona.
Meanwhile, Samsung has won approval from Nvidia for its HBM3E memory chips, which will be used in Nvidia’s B300 AI accelerator and AMD’s MI350 platform, although supply is expected to remain limited as rivals have secured early approval.
The industry is already focusing on HBM4 for Nvidia’s next-generation Vera Rubin chips.
Since the start of the year, Nvidia shares have gained more than 40%, surpassing Apple and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) to become the first company to surpass $4.5 trillion in market capitalization.
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