Alleged benchmarks for the Samsung Galaxy S26 suggest Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform is still ahead of Samsung’s Exynos chips in several key tests, extending a long running performance gap in the flagship lineup. At the same time, fresh leaks around the 2nm Exynos 2600 point to a very different picture in Geekbench, where Samsung’s in-house silicon reportedly outscores the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 by a significant margin. Taken together, these conflicting signals around alleged Galaxy S26 Ultra benchmark scores are dispelling a fantasy of effortless parity and hint at a more complicated chipset strategy as Samsung moves toward launch.
Historical Snapdragon Dominance in Galaxy Benchmarks
For multiple Galaxy S generations, Snapdragon powered variants have typically posted stronger multi core and graphics numbers than their Exynos counterparts, particularly in synthetic tests that stress sustained performance. Buyers in regions that received Snapdragon models often reported smoother gaming in titles like Genshin Impact and more consistent frame rates in 3DMark style workloads, while Exynos versions of the same phones were more likely to throttle under extended load. That pattern set a clear expectation for the Galaxy S26 family, with many power users assuming Qualcomm silicon would again be the safer bet for raw speed and stability.
Samsung’s long standing practice of splitting chipsets by region has amplified those comparisons, because users in North America and some parts of Asia have grown accustomed to Snapdragon powered Galaxy flagships while Europe and other markets frequently received Exynos. The result has been a persistent debate over value and fairness, with some customers importing Snapdragon models to avoid perceived compromises in efficiency and battery life. Until the latest round of leaks, there had been little concrete evidence of a major reversal in that hierarchy, so Qualcomm’s edge in pre launch expectations remained largely intact and shaped how enthusiasts evaluated early S26 rumors.
Details of Alleged Galaxy S26 Benchmark Leaks
Early benchmark leaks tied to the base Galaxy S26 indicate that Snapdragon is still in overall scores across synthetic suites such as AnTuTu and 3DMark. In those reports, the Snapdragon configuration consistently posts higher aggregate numbers, suggesting stronger combined CPU, GPU, and memory performance under standardized test conditions. For prospective buyers who rely on these benchmarks as a shorthand for everyday responsiveness, that gap reinforces the idea that Qualcomm’s platform remains the more capable all rounder in the near term.
The same leaks highlight a Snapdragon advantage in single core performance and thermal management, two factors that matter directly for tasks like app launches, web browsing, and short gaming sessions. Higher single core scores typically translate into snappier performance in apps such as Instagram, Chrome, and Gmail, while better thermal behavior can prevent the kind of heat buildup that leads to throttling during video recording or navigation in Google Maps. According to the reported figures, Exynos still trails by roughly 10 to 15 percent in comparable Galaxy flagships, which has implications for how Samsung positions the S26 in markets where both chipsets might appear side by side.
Exynos 2600’s Unexpected Geekbench Lead
Against that backdrop, the emergence of results showing that the 2nm Exynos 2600 outscores the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in Geekbench by a significant margin has surprised many observers. In those multi threaded workloads, the leaked scores suggest that Samsung’s next generation in house silicon can deliver higher throughput when all cores are engaged, a scenario that reflects demanding tasks like exporting 4K video or running complex photo edits in apps such as Adobe Lightroom. The report that the 2nm Exynos 2600 points to the benefits of the advanced manufacturing process, which can enable higher clock speeds and improved power efficiency within the same thermal envelope.
Single core results in those same leaks also favor the Exynos 2600, indicating that Samsung may have addressed one of the most persistent criticisms of its previous designs. Stronger single core performance can improve AI driven features, such as on device photo enhancement and voice recognition, and can shorten app launch times relative to Snapdragon’s Gen 5 architecture. If those numbers hold in commercial hardware, they would mark a potential turning point for Samsung’s silicon roadmap, giving the company more leverage in negotiations with Qualcomm and more flexibility in deciding how aggressively to deploy Exynos in future Galaxy S devices.
Impact on Galaxy S26 Ultra Expectations
While the Exynos 2600’s leaked Geekbench lead hints at a brighter future, alleged scores tied specifically to the Galaxy S26 Ultra paint a more nuanced picture. Reports on alleged Galaxy S26 describe a scenario where hopes of effortless Exynos parity are tempered by mixed results, particularly in graphics heavy tests. In those accounts, Snapdragon still retains a clear advantage in GPU focused benchmarks, which are critical for high refresh rate gaming and advanced camera processing features such as real time HDR viewfinders and 8K video stabilization.
The same leaks suggest that Samsung is leaning on camera and battery optimizations to differentiate the Ultra variant, with chipset choice playing a central role in how those improvements are distributed across regions. Markets that prioritize mobile gaming, extended video recording, and intensive multitasking are likely to see stronger demand for Snapdragon based models, while regions where Samsung wants to validate Exynos gains might receive a larger share of in house silicon. I see these dynamics shaping Samsung’s global rollout strategy, as the company weighs the marketing benefits of showcasing Exynos progress against the commercial risk of disappointing enthusiasts who still associate Snapdragon with the best possible Galaxy S26 Ultra experience.
