Joe Maring / Android Authority
TL;DR A fresh Galaxy S26 leak has revealed details about the Snapdragon chip powering it.
A prominent leaker notes that Samsung will source the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chips from TSMC instead of using the ones it is rumored to manufacture itself.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is also rumored to be slimmer and have a bigger display than the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
We’re still several months away from the official unveiling of the Galaxy S26 series, yet a flurry of leaks and rumors have shaped our expectations from Samsung’s upcoming flagship phones. Now, a series of new leaks reveals the specifications of the chipset that will power the Galaxy S26 series, along with the dimensions of the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
It is widely understood, and obvious, that Samsung will equip the Galaxy S26 series with new and more powerful chipsets. But, reputed leaker Ice Universe has some details to share. In a recent Weibo post, they noted that the Galaxy S26 series will be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, set to be released in September 2025. But like other Samsung flagships, the Galaxy S26 is expected to utilize a souped-up “For Galaxy” variant of the chip, especially made for Samsung.
Weibo / Ice Universe
Ice Universe now states the chipset’s prime core will be clocked at a peak frequency of 4.74GHz. This marks a modest 6% increment over the current generation, which is clocked at 4.47GHz (it’s amusing to see the numbers jumbled around, but we hope it’s not just for optics!).
Notably, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon “For Galaxy” chips have consistently outperformed regular variants that power all other Android flagships. However, this choice of chipset is likely a reflection of Samsung’s possible sense of insecurity in its own fabrication process.
That is because the leaker adds that Samsung will source chipsets manufactured by TSMC. This is interesting since Samsung itself is rumored to manufacture a cheaper variant of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, which could be reserved for other phone brands that make more affordable flagships. Meanwhile, the existence of Exynos 2600 hasn’t been ruled out entirely, but we may not see it powering the non-Ultra Galaxy S26 series in certain regions, as older chips in the lineup have in the past.
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