Samsung is reportedly delaying the launch of its Galaxy S26 series to February 25, several weeks later than originally expected. The delay appears to stem from internal strategy shifts surrounding its next-generation flagship lineup. According to reports, Samsung plans to keep the same three-model structure as before, offering the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. This decision replaces earlier speculation that a new Galaxy S26 Edge model would substitute the Plus version. The company also intends to use its in-house Exynos 2600 chip in more variants, including the Ultra model, signaling a renewed commitment to the Exynos platform after several years of relying heavily on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors.
Rumors about the Exynos 2600 have stirred growing interest in recent weeks. Early reports suggested the new chip would outperform Apple’s A19 Pro processor and even rival Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which will power some Galaxy S26 units in select markets. A leaked benchmark this month appears to support those claims, hinting that the Exynos 2600 could deliver performance on par with Apple’s M5 chip, the processor powering the latest MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro. However, the legitimacy of this benchmark remains uncertain. PhoneArena reported that the alleged Geekbench 6 listing linked to these results has since been deleted, leaving open the possibility that it was fabricated. Even so, the figures—if genuine—suggest that Samsung’s next Exynos chip may be far more capable than enthusiasts anticipated.
According to the leak, the Exynos 2600 achieved scores of 4,217 in single-core tests and 13,482 in multi-core performance. These results mark a notable improvement over earlier leaks, which showed 3,455 and 11,621 points, respectively. In comparison, Apple’s M5 chip reportedly reached 4,298 in single-core and 17,795 in multi-core tests, while the iPhone 17 Pro’s A19 Pro scored 3,751 and 9,711. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, meanwhile, is said to achieve around 3,832 and 12,208 in the same benchmark.
While these numbers are impressive, real-world performance depends on more than raw speed. Efficiency and temperature control remain critical for mobile chips, factors that have previously challenged Samsung. The company will be cautious to avoid issues similar to those of the Exynos 2200, which faced widespread criticism for overheating. It remains to be seen whether Samsung can translate benchmark potential into consistent everyday performance, especially under sustained workloads.
Even if the Exynos 2600 manages to deliver power comparable to Apple’s M5 on paper, it is unlikely that any smartphone will replace a MacBook Pro in terms of overall computing capability. Nonetheless, Samsung’s progress is significant. If the reports are accurate, the Exynos 2600 represents a major step forward—not only for Samsung but for the Android ecosystem as a whole. The new Galaxy S26 lineup could mark the first time in years that Samsung’s in-house chip competes head-to-head with Apple’s and Qualcomm’s best offerings, signaling a strong comeback for Exynos technology.
