Galaxy S26 will get Exynos 2600 with external modem: power efficiency in question

Samsung’s new Exynos 2600 processor, which will be installed in the base Galaxy S26 and S26+ models, uses a separate modem instead of the built-in one, which could affect the devices’ battery life.

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup will once again face a chipset split, and one of the details of the Exynos version is already raising concerns. The Galaxy S26 and S26+ models are planned to be equipped with the new Exynos 2600 processor, at least for the South Korean market. It’s Samsung’s first smartphone chip manufactured using the 2-nanometer process, but according to insiders, it’s coming paired with an external communications modem.

Samsung’s first smartphone chip manufactured using the 2-nanometer process, however, according to insiders.

Solution with separate modem

Insider Erenkan Yilmaz has reported that the Exynos 2600 does not have an integrated cellular modem. Instead, the processor relies on a separate module, presumably the Exynos 5410. A Samsung Semiconductor spokesperson confirmed to Android Authority that the 2-nanometer process chip does use an external modem.

Most modern mobile processors, including the Exynos 2400 and Exynos 2500, have built-in modems. Placing the modem on the same chip as the main components shortens the data path and helps limit power consumption and heating, especially when mobile Internet usage is heavy.

Modem embedding on the same chip as the main components shortens the data path and helps limit power consumption and heating, especially when mobile Internet usage is active.

Impact on autonomy

External modems are generally less power efficient. A similar approach was taken with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 in 2020, and that chip was often criticized for increased battery consumption when running on a network connection. If a similar situation happens again, Exynos-powered Galaxy S26 models may exhibit slightly faster battery drain when using mobile internet, calls, or hotspot functionality. It remains to be seen whether the external solution will behave differently from the integrated variant in Snapdragon versions, especially in weak signal conditions.

Reasons for architectural choices

The Exynos 2600 processor is built on Samsung’s new 2-nanometer process technology, and doing away with the integrated modem is seen as a potential cost-saving measure. As Android Authority notes, the external layout could help the company manage the yield of year-old crystals and make room for other components on the main chip.

An external layout could help the company manage the yield of year-old crystals and make room for other components on the main chip.

Samsung has not revealed details about the impact of this configuration on the actual battery life of the devices. The answer to that question will only come after the Exynos versions of the Galaxy S26 hit the market early next year. For now, the Snapdragon variants may remain the more reliable choice for users who value networking efficiency. As usual, the final conclusions will depend on the implementation, not just the specs.