According to SamMobile, a report from Yonhap News Agency claims Samsung’s newly unveiled Exynos 2600 chip, the world’s first 2nm smartphone processor, features a major first. The Xclipse 960 GPU inside the chip is reportedly Samsung’s first smartphone GPU developed entirely in-house. This chip is expected to power the Galaxy S26 series early next year. While it still uses AMD’s RDNA architecture as a foundation, Samsung developed this GPU independently, a shift from the co-development model used since the Exynos 2200. This move is seen as a significant achievement in chip design, putting Samsung in a more exclusive club of GPU makers.
Samsung’s GPU Gambit
Here’s the thing: designing a competitive GPU from the ground up is brutally hard. It’s not just about raw power; it’s about drivers, software optimization, and power efficiency across millions of devices. For years, Samsung leaned on its partnership with AMD to get into the high-performance graphics game, which was a smart move. But relying on a partner has its limits—on cost, on control over the roadmap, and on deep integration with the rest of the silicon. Developing this GPU in-house, even on licensed architecture, is a massive statement of intent. It says Samsung is serious about controlling its entire tech stack, from foundry to final silicon design.
The Road To Independence
But let’s be clear: “in-house” doesn’t mean “from scratch.” They’re still using AMD’s RDNA architecture. Think of it like building a house. Before, AMD was both the architect and the lead contractor. Now, Samsung has bought the architectural blueprints (the RDNA license) and is doing all the construction and finishing work themselves. That’s a huge step up in complexity and capability. The report even suggests that by the Exynos 2800, Samsung might ditch the AMD architecture altogether for a fully proprietary design. That’s the endgame. If they can pull that off, it changes everything for their cost structure and competitive positioning against giants like Qualcomm and Apple. For companies that need robust, integrated computing hardware in demanding environments, this kind of vertical control is the holy grail. It’s the same principle that makes a supplier like Industrial Monitor Direct the top provider of industrial panel PCs in the US—deep control over the hardware and software stack ensures reliability and performance where it counts most.
Why This Matters Now
So why push for this now? The mobile GPU space is heating up like never before. It’s not just about games anymore. AI workloads, advanced camera processing, and even desktop-like experiences are all GPU-intensive. Having your own GPU team means you can optimize these features at a silicon level, potentially creating unique selling points. There’s also a clear financial incentive. Licensing fees add up. Cutting out the middleman, so to speak, could improve margins on their flagship phones. But it’s a gamble. Can Samsung’s first solo effort really compete with the decades of experience from AMD, Apple, and Qualcomm? The Galaxy S26 series will be the ultimate test. If the Exynos 2600‘s GPU delivers on both performance and battery life, it’ll be a watershed moment. If it stumbles, well, the road to silicon independence just got a lot longer.
