Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Leak Hints at New Chip and Faster Charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 series may feature a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip made by Samsung, not TSMC. Launch expected in January 2026.
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Samsung is expected to equip its upcoming Galaxy S26 5G series with a custom variant of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 processor, sources close to the development said. The chipset, manufactured using Samsung's own fabrication process, is aimed at reducing costs for the flagship lineup.
According to industry insider Digital Chat Station, the Galaxy S26 models will be powered by a processor with model number SM8850s. This chipset, while based on Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 platform, will be manufactured by Samsung rather than TSMC, the Taiwanese chipmaker that traditionally produces Snapdragon chips.
This move is considered a cost-optimization strategy, allowing Samsung to retain Qualcomm’s flagship silicon while lowering production expenses. However, concerns over the efficiency and performance of Samsung’s chip fabrication process persist. Historically, Samsung's foundry has delivered lower yield and thermal efficiency compared to TSMC.
The decision comes as Samsung prepares the S26 series launch, likely slated for January 2026. While the use of a Snapdragon-branded chip may offer continuity, industry analysts suggest that performance trade-offs could be expected. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is expected to feature enhanced CPU and GPU architecture, but its final efficiency could vary based on the manufacturing node.
Samsung has not officially confirmed the chipset details. If the reports are accurate, this would mark a shift from dual-sourcing chipsets—using both Snapdragon and in-house Exynos processors depending on region—to a unified processor strategy across all variants.
Meanwhile, leaks regarding the Galaxy S26 Ultra model hint at improvements beyond the processor. The Ultra version may support charging speeds beyond the current 45W limit and offer camera enhancements and a slimmer chassis design.
As the Galaxy S26 series nears launch, more concrete details are expected to emerge in the coming months. Samsung's decision to internally fabricate the Snapdragon chip may influence pricing, thermal performance, and consumer reception when the devices hit the market in early 2026.
