Rumor: Samsung uses the Exynos chip in the Galaxy S27 Ultra

After a one-year hiatus, it looks like the Exynos chip will make a comeback in Samsung’s flagship family, the Galaxy S26 series. However, reports suggest that the Ultra model will exclusively use the Snapdragon chip for another generation. The last Ultra phone to use an Exynos chip was the Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2022, and the next model to use the Exynos chip again is the Galaxy S27 Ultra, which is expected to launch in early 2027.

Reports suggest that Samsung was planning to launch the Galaxy S26 Ultra with its own Exynos 2600 chip in some regions. But in the end, due to a series of internal factors and market conditions, it decided to fully use the 5th generation Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. However, the other two models in the S26 series may still have Exynos-powered versions, but the Ultra model will probably only be released globally with the Snapdragon chip.

Technology industry experts consider this decision to be a realistic approach. The change in direction is both a sign of progress and a sign of caution on Samsung’s part, according to Kim Yong-seok, a distinguished professor at Gacheon University’s School of Semiconductors.

Speaking to Korean media outlet ChosunBiz, Kim said, “The proliferation of models using the Exynos chip appears to be the result of advances in chip design and improvements in GAA’s sub-nanometer lithography efficiency. It seems that the possibility of using the Exynos chip in the Ultra model will be provided only in 2027. “With the expansion of the use of internal chips, Samsung’s power to negotiate with Qualcomm will also increase.”

Of course, it’s still too early for Galaxy S27 rumors, and things could change quickly as the development phase begins. However, Kim’s comments indicate that Samsung’s semiconductor division has made significant progress on the Exynos chip, although it’s unlikely that the platform will be ready for Ultra models until 2027, when the Exynos 2700 is released.

Since the Ultra model has always been the best-selling phone in the Galaxy S family, Samsung doesn’t want to risk stability or performance issues with the relatively new 2nm technology. By choosing the Snapdragon chip again, Samsung is ensuring stable global performance and maintaining consumer trust, especially after the backlash against Exynos-powered phones such as the Galaxy S22 series, which faced widespread criticism for performance drops and overheating.