Samsung Galaxy S26 could 'outperform' iPhone 18 with first 2nm chip

According to Sammy Fans , the semiconductor technology race in smartphones is about to enter a new, highly competitive chapter with the emergence of the 2nm process. An interesting scenario is being revealed by industry sources: the Samsung Galaxy S26 could become the world's first phone equipped with a 2nm chip, potentially surpassing its formidable rival, the iPhone 18.

Can the Samsung Galaxy S26 outperform the iPhone 18?

Traditionally, Apple has always been a top priority customer and is usually the first to access TSMC's most advanced chip manufacturing processes. Recent reports indicate that TSMC is making significant progress with its 2nm process, projected to reach a capacity of around 50,000 wafers per month by the end of 2025 with already good production rates.

The Galaxy S26 could be the first device to feature a 2nm chip.

PHOTO: WCCF TECH SCREENSHOT

The first 2nm processor from TSMC is expected to be the A20 chip, expected for the iPhone 18 Pro series due in 2026. This new process promises to deliver about 15% higher performance than the 3nm process currently used on current A-series chips.

However, the iPhone 17 generation, expected to launch later this year, is rumored to still use 3nm chips. This inadvertently creates a valuable opportunity for Samsung. The South Korean tech giant is rumored to be focusing its efforts on developing the Exynos 2600 processor for the Galaxy S26 series (expected to launch in early 2026) based on the 2nm SF2 process researched and developed by Samsung Foundry (Samsung's chip manufacturing division).

If Samsung Foundry can complete the 2nm SF2 process and put it into mass production in time, the Galaxy S26 could very well become the world's first smartphone equipped with a 2nm chip. This would be an impressive 'revenge' after Samsung had difficulty competing on the previous 3nm process.

The 2nm race isn't just about Apple and Samsung. Intel has also expressed strong interest in TSMC's 2nm process, but will likely have to fall behind Apple in terms of priority, possibly pushing back mass production to 2026.

In a related development, there is information that Apple is planning to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the US in the coming years, including supporting TSMC's factory in Arizona, in response to policies to promote domestic production.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/samsung-galaxy-s26-co-the-vuot-mat-iphone-18-voi-chip-2nm-dau-tien-18525032818214272.htm