CES 2026: Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon X2 Plus for Copilot+ PCs
The Snapdragon X2 Plus SoC follows the Snapdragon X2 Elite, launching just four months after its debut. Devamını Oku
Yazılar
Report Suggests Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Will Power Majority of Samsung Galaxy S26 Models
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 to Power Majority of Samsung Galaxy S26 Lineup, Confirms Qualcomm
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series is expected to make its debut early next year, and reports indicate that the company will once again adopt a dual-chip strategy for its flagship smartphones. The lineup will reportedly include the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, each powered by either Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or Samsung’s own Exynos 2600 chipset. However, new statements from Qualcomm’s leadership suggest that the Snapdragon chip will continue to dominate across most global markets, with the Exynos variant reserved for select regions.
Qualcomm President and CEO Cristiano Amon discussed the company’s partnership with Samsung during its Q4 earnings call. Amon revealed that Qualcomm expects to supply chips for roughly 75 percent of all Galaxy S26 devices, maintaining the same ratio seen in recent flagship launches. This reflects a continuation of the close collaboration between the two tech giants, which has strengthened in recent years as Samsung increasingly relies on Qualcomm’s top-tier silicon for its global smartphone lineup.
Amon reportedly highlighted that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will be the primary chipset powering the Galaxy S26 series worldwide. He stated that Qualcomm’s “new baseline” share of Samsung’s premium lineup now sits at about 75 percent, up from the 50-50 split that existed several years ago. “On Galaxy S25, we got 100 percent,” Amon noted, adding that while some regional models may use the Exynos 2600, Qualcomm remains confident in its majority share for the upcoming flagship series.
This development suggests that most Galaxy S26 buyers, particularly in markets like the United States, India, and parts of Europe, can expect their devices to be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The Exynos 2600, meanwhile, is likely to power only limited regional variants, possibly in Samsung’s home market of South Korea or select European countries. As both chipmakers continue to push advancements in AI, performance, and efficiency, Samsung’s dual-chip approach may offer valuable insights into how the two platforms compare in real-world usage when the Galaxy S26 series officially launches in 2025.
Qualcomm’s Strong Forecast Overshadowed by Expected Samsung Loss
Qualcomm projected stronger-than-expected quarterly sales and profit on Wednesday, buoyed by a rebound in premium smartphone demand, but its stock slipped in after-hours trading amid concerns over a potential loss of business from Samsung next year.
For the quarter ending in December, the chip designer forecast revenue and adjusted earnings at midpoints of $12.2 billion and $3.40 per share, beating analyst expectations of $11.62 billion and $3.31, according to LSEG data.
However, CEO Cristiano Amon said the company expects to supply about 75% of the modem chips for Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup — down from 100% for the current Galaxy S25 models. The announcement sent Qualcomm shares down 2.7% in extended trading after a 4% rise earlier in the day.
Despite the setback, Amon emphasized that Qualcomm is diversifying beyond smartphones into automotive, laptop, and data center chips, as longtime client Apple moves toward producing its own modems.
He also revealed that Qualcomm is in discussions with a “large hyperscaler” — an AI-focused computing company — following its recent deal with Humain, an AI firm backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
The company’s fiscal fourth-quarter results also outperformed expectations, with $11.27 billion in sales and $3 per share in adjusted profit, compared to estimates of $10.79 billion and $2.88.
Amon said the forecast reflects a surge in demand for high-end smartphones capable of running AI applications, especially in markets like China and India, where consumers are “upgrading from mid-range to premium.”