Samsung’s next-generation application processor, the Exynos 2700, is expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2026, an analyst told Korea Economic Daily. The move could lift Samsung’s internal chipset presence in future Galaxy S-series phones after Exynos 2600 covered roughly 25 percent of Galaxy S26 units. Reported improvements in Samsung Foundry’s second-generation 2nm GAA node (SF2P) and a reported 50 percent yield estimate are cited as enablers. If realized, the shift would reduce reliance on Qualcomm and improve foundry economics toward the company’s 2027 profitability target.
Key Takeaways
- Exynos 2600 reportedly accounts for about 25% of Galaxy S26 shipments, with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon variants making up the balance.
- An analyst from Kiwoom Securities told Korea Economic Daily that Exynos 2700 should enter mass production in H2 2026.
- Samsung’s second-generation 2nm GAA node (SF2P) is said to have an estimated yield near 50% and a basic design completed in 2025.
- Samsung aims for a 130% increase in chip orders as part of its foundry growth strategy tied to SF2P capacity.
- The company expects its non-memory division to post about 36.4 trillion won ($24.99 billion) in sales, a 21% year-over-year rise, with operating profit near 1.8 trillion won ($1.2 billion).
- Benchmark leaks attribute a ‘4+1+4+1’ CPU cluster to the Exynos 2700; an in-house GPU transition is reportedly targeted for Exynos 2800.
Background
Samsung has long balanced its mobile processor strategy between in-house Exynos chips and licensing Qualcomm Snapdragon parts for flagship Galaxy devices. In recent years, Samsung’s share of Galaxy flagship SoCs has fluctuated by region and model, with Exynos variants often used in select markets. The Exynos 2600 was reported to cover about a quarter of Galaxy S26 units, leaving Qualcomm chipsets dominant in the rest. That split has spurred Samsung to bolster its foundry and design efforts to increase in-house adoption and capture more value in the device supply chain.
Parallel to design efforts, Samsung Foundry has been developing a second-generation 2nm GAA node—SF2P—aimed at improving performance-per-watt and die area efficiency. Company filings and industry reports indicate Samsung targeted completion of SF2P’s basic design in 2025 and has moved to promote the node among partners. For Samsung, advancing SF2P is a dual-purpose initiative: to underpin next-generation Exynos devices and to attract external foundry customers seeking advanced process nodes.
Main Event
According to reporting based on Kiwoom Securities analyst Park Yu-ak, Samsung plans to begin mass-producing the Exynos 2700 in the latter half of 2026. The analyst links the timing to improvements in SF2P yields, which industry estimates place around 50 percent at present. That yield level, if sustained and improved, would make it commercially viable for Samsung to increase Exynos allocations inside the Galaxy S27 lineup.
The report says Samsung has already asked supply-chain partners to start promoting SF2P as a production node, suggesting internal confidence in the technology roadmap. Samsung’s stated ambition—reportedly a 130 percent increase in chip orders—would require both capacity expansion and stable yield curves. Executing that plan would allow Samsung not only to fit more Exynos chips into Galaxy S27 models but also to pursue external foundry clients who need advanced 2nm-class processes.
On the device side, a prior benchmark leak attributed a ‘4+1+4+1’ CPU cluster arrangement to the Exynos 2700, a configuration implying two performance tiers plus efficiency cores; the company is expected to retain a staged approach to GPU evolution, reserving an in-house GPU transition for the subsequent Exynos 2800. The combination of a refined process node and iterative architecture changes would be aimed at narrowing the performance and power efficiency gap with rival Snapdragon parts.
Analysis & Implications
If Exynos 2700 enters mass production in H2 2026 and SF2P yields improve as reported, Samsung could materially increase its share of Galaxy S27 SoC supply. That outcome would shift higher-margin value from external suppliers back to Samsung’s mobile division and could improve device-level cost control. However, converting foundry yield improvements into higher in-house adoption requires coordinated supply-chain logistics, qualification tests across region-specific models, and marketing alignment for carrier partners.
For Samsung Foundry, SF2P stabilization would be a strategic inflection point. Achieving consistent yields near or above the reported 50 percent—then improving toward mainstream levels—would enable Samsung to pursue new customers in mobile, HPC, and custom silicon markets. The stated goal of 130 percent growth in chip orders signals aggressive capacity and sales targets; success would accelerate the company’s path to the reported 2027 net-positive cash flow objective for the foundry business.
Risks remain. Early-generation nodes often face steep yield learning curves that can delay mass production or reduce available wafer volumes. Even with adequate yields, Qualcomm and other foundry partners maintain strong design ecosystems and performance leadership in certain workloads; Samsung must match both silicon performance and software/driver maturity to win design-ins at scale. Market dynamics—regional preferences, carrier deals, and supply agreements—will also influence how extensively Exynos 2700 is adopted across Galaxy S27 variants.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Reported/Current | Target/Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Exynos share in Galaxy S26 | ~25% | — |
| Estimated SF2P yield | ~50% (reported) | Improving toward mainstream production yields |
| Exynos 2700 mass production | Planned H2 2026 | Volume ramp during 2026–2027 |
| Non-memory division sales (estimate) | 36.4 trillion won ($24.99B) | 21% YoY growth |
| Non-memory operating profit (estimate) | 1.8 trillion won ($1.2B) | — |
The table summarizes reported figures and targets cited in the analyst note and subsequent coverage. The Exynos 2600 share for Galaxy S26 is a data point from market reporting, while the Exynos 2700 mass production date and SF2P yield are sourced to the analyst and Korea Economic Daily’s coverage. Financial estimates for Samsung’s non-memory division appear in the same industry report, showing a notable year-over-year sales jump tied to chip and device activities.
Reactions & Quotes
“Exynos 2700 is expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2026,” the analyst was reported to have said, framing the timeline as contingent on SF2P yield improvements.
Kiwoom Securities (via Korea Economic Daily)
“Samsung completed the basic design of the SF2P manufacturing process in 2025,” the coverage noted, pointing to design milestones already achieved.
Korea Economic Daily (media report)
“The firm is reportedly aiming for 2027 as the year when its foundry business finally becomes net-positive in cash flow,” industry reporting added, tying process maturity to financial targets.
Wccftech (industry coverage)
Unconfirmed
- The precise percentage increase of Exynos adoption in Galaxy S27 is not publicly confirmed beyond analyst projection and remains subject to Samsung’s internal allocation decisions.
- Benchmark details such as the ‘4+1+4+1’ CPU cluster for Exynos 2700 derive from leaks and have not been officially confirmed by Samsung.
- The timeline for Samsung’s in-house GPU rollout being tied to Exynos 2800 is based on reporting and roadmaps that may change as development progresses.
Bottom Line
The report that Exynos 2700 could enter mass production in H2 2026 hinges on improvements in Samsung Foundry’s SF2P yields and the company’s ability to scale capacity. If the timeline and yield improvements hold, Samsung could raise Exynos penetration in the Galaxy S27 series and strengthen its foundry position with new customers. That would shift more device value capture back to Samsung and support its stated goal of foundry profitability by 2027.
However, execution risk is meaningful: early-node yield volatility, supply-chain logistics, and competitive pressures from Qualcomm and other silicon vendors mean adoption gains are not guaranteed. Readers should treat the timeline as a credible industry projection tied to specific technical milestones, and watch for formal confirmations from Samsung or multiple independent supply-chain reports before treating adoption scenarios as settled.
Sources
- Wccftech — (technology news site reporting on analyst commentary)
- Korea Economic Daily (Hankyung) — (Korean business newspaper cited as original analyst interview source)
- Kiwoom Securities — (financial/analytic firm referenced for analyst Park Yu-ak)