In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated Exynos 2600 has surfaced with leaked GPU benchmark results that show it outperforming the Snapdragon 8 Elite—Qualcomm’s current flagship chipset. According to recent reports and GPU test leaks, the Xclipse 960 GPU inside Samsung’s next-gen SoC delivers a 15% performance boost over the Adreno 830 GPU on Snapdragon 8 Elite. If the data holds true, Samsung might be making a serious comeback in the chipset race. Let’s break down what the benchmarks reveal and what it means for the Galaxy S26 and beyond as per sammobile.
| Feature | Exynos 2600 (Xclipse 960 GPU) | Snapdragon 8 Elite (Adreno 830 GPU) |
|---|---|---|
| 3DMark Steel Nomad Light Score | 3,135 points | 2,681 points |
| Average FPS | 23.23 FPS | 19.87 FPS |
| Performance Difference | +15% | — |
| Benchmark Source | Test Board | Smartphone |
| Cooling Environment | Optimized (test board) | Real-world usage |
Raw Power or Test Bench Advantage?
While the numbers look promising, there’s a caveat. The Exynos 2600 was benchmarked on a test board—a controlled environment that generally features superior cooling, leading to enhanced thermal performance. Smartphones, on the other hand, often throttle under heat, which could mean real-world results may differ.
It’s also worth noting that the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is expected to launch around the same time, which could level the playing field or shift it yet again.
Launch Expectations
Samsung is likely to debut the Exynos 2600 chipset ahead of the Galaxy S26 series, which is rumored to launch in early 2026. Given that these leaked GPU benchmarks are early indicators, the final version may differ slightly due to clock speed optimizations or architectural changes.
Verdict: A Promising Glimpse at Exynos Redemption
The Exynos 2600’s early GPU benchmarks offer a glimmer of hope for Samsung’s chipset division, which has long struggled to keep up with Qualcomm in the premium segment. According to leaked data, the new Xclipse 960 GPU inside the Exynos 2600 scored 3,135 points on 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Light benchmark, delivering an average frame rate of 23.23 FPS. That’s approximately 15% better GPU performance than the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Adreno 830, which scored 2,681 points with 19.87 FPS.
These numbers, while still preliminary, indicate a significant leap forward for Samsung’s in-house silicon. For years, Exynos chips have lagged behind their Snapdragon counterparts — particularly in graphics and sustained performance. However, this new result shows that Samsung may have finally cracked the GPU bottleneck, potentially making its own chipsets far more competitive in high-end smartphones.
FAQs
Q1: How much faster is the Exynos 2600 GPU than Snapdragon 8 Elite?
A: According to leaked benchmarks, the Exynos 2600 GPU is approximately 15% faster in 3DMark Steel Nomad Light tests.
Q2: When will the Exynos 2600 launch?
A: It is expected to launch just before the Galaxy S26 series, likely in early 2026.
Q3: Are these benchmark results from a smartphone?
A: No, the Exynos 2600 was tested on a development board, which typically has better cooling than smartphones.
Q4: Will Snapdragon respond with a more powerful chipset?
A: Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is expected to launch around the same time, potentially altering the performance landscape again.
Q5: Should you wait for Galaxy S26 based on this GPU performance?
A: If these results translate to real-world use, the Galaxy S26 with Exynos 2600 could be a game-changer for gaming and performance-focused users.