Samsung is reportedly strengthening its Exynos 2600 GPU development by hiring a former Huawei chip specialist, signaling a potential shift towards in-house GPU implementation for its next-generation Exynos chipsets.
The Exynos 2600 is expected to be Samsung’s forthcoming flagship chipset, potentially debuting with the Galaxy S26 series smartphones. For a considerable period, Samsung has integrated AMD’s Xclipse GPUs into its Exynos processors, but the latest reports suggest a change in strategy, indicating Samsung’s desire for greater autonomy and control over its chipset architecture by developing its own proprietary GPUs.
According to a revelation made by the prominent Weibo tipster @FixedFocus, a former chip expert from Huawei is now expected to lead the Samsung Exynos 2600 GPU development team. While the precise details surrounding this alleged recruitment remain undisclosed, the rumor has generated considerable buzz within the tech community, hinting at a potentially transformative period for Samsung’s semiconductor division.
This development is particularly noteworthy given Huawei’s complex history and current challenges in the chip development landscape. Despite facing severe limitations imposed by US sanctions, Huawei has demonstrated remarkable innovation in its chip designs, as seen in its Kirin 9010 and 9020 chipsets. These chips underscore Huawei’s potential and suggest that the company could have surpassed numerous rival technology firms had it not been for external restrictions. The transfer of such high-level talent from Huawei could inject invaluable insights and technical acumen into Samsung’s in-house GPU project.
Samsung’s decision to bring in external expertise, especially from a competitor with a strong background in chip design, highlights the complexity and competitive nature of developing high-performance GPUs. Moving from a licensed GPU architecture to an entirely in-house solution represents a significant undertaking, requiring substantial investment in research, development, and talent acquisition. By securing the services of a former Huawei expert, Samsung might be seeking to leverage battle-tested experience in overcoming technical hurdles and accelerating its GPU design cycles.
This strategic shift reflects a broader industry trend where major smartphone manufacturers are striving for greater vertical integration in their hardware development. By designing and implementing their own GPUs, companies aim to achieve optimized performance, enhanced power efficiency, and tighter integration between hardware and software, ultimately leading to a more cohesive and differentiated user experience.
The success of Samsung’s Exynos 2600 with an in-house GPU will be closely watched, as it could redefine performance benchmarks for future Galaxy flagship devices. The integration of advanced graphics capabilities is crucial for demanding applications, including high-fidelity mobile gaming, complex augmented reality experiences, and sophisticated AI processing on-device. The reported involvement of a former Huawei expert suggests Samsung is aiming to achieve a superior and competitive GPU solution, potentially exceeding the performance of rival chipsets in the market.
