Samsung's exynos engine roars back: 2nm yields surge, future chip plans adjusted

Published on 28/03/2026 00:13 in technology • Aaron Tilley

Samsung is accelerating its return to prominence in the mobile processor market, signaling a dramatic turnaround after years of struggling with its Exynos chips. The company is already working on the Exynos 2800, codenamed 'Vanguard,' aiming for a 2nm process, a significant improvement over previous iterations.

Exynos 2800

Exynos 2800 'vanguard' nears completion

A report indicates Samsung intends to finalize development of the Exynos 2800 by the end of the year, with mass production slated for 2024. This follows a remarkable recovery in Samsung Foundry's manufacturing capabilities. Just a year ago, analysts questioned the viability of the operation, with 3nm yields proving unusable and 2nm yields largely unattainable. Now, the company boasts a 60 percent yield rate for its 2nm process.

This resurgence has fueled significant orders from major players in the tech industry. Samsung had initially aimed to begin manufacturing 1.4nm chips in 2027, but those ambitions have been pushed back to 2029. The focus now is on perfecting the current 2nm Technology before setting sights on even more advanced processes.

The Galaxy S26 series, launching this year, will feature the Exynos 2600, while the high-end Galaxy S26 Ultra models will utilize a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor. However, the comeback of Exynos is a testament to Samsung’s persistence. If the company can achieve better integration between its hardware and software, it could potentially rival the efficiency of Apple's silicon.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is currently available with trade-in discounts of up to $720, while the Galaxy S26+ offers discounts of up to $480. The standard Galaxy S26 is available for up to $380 off. These promotions include additional savings on Galaxy Buds 4 series.

The turnaround at Samsung Foundry is not just a technological achievement; it is a significant validation of the company’s determination. It illustrates that even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, innovation can prevail.