[News] Samsung Reportedly Eyes 2026 Tape-Out for 2nm Exynos 2800; 1.4nm Shift Delayed

Samsung only unveiled its Exynos 2600 in late 2025, but is reportedly already preparing its next-next-generation mobile application processor, the Exynos 2800, codenamed “Vanguard.” According to ZDNet, sources say the company is targeting tape-out of the chip in 2026. Tape-out marks the stage when chip design is completed and sent to the foundry, followed by sample production and testing prior to mass production. As the report highlights, the chip will be built on Samsung’s most advanced 2nm process, specifically an enhanced version of its second-generation node (SF2P), known as SF2P+.

Meanwhile, as noted by Wccftech, citing Hankyung, Samsung’s Exynos 2800 carries added significance as it may be the company’s first SoC to feature an in-house GPU.

Samsung Reportedly Delays 1.4nm, Focuses on 2nm Optimization Instead

ZDNet notes that Samsung had initially planned to begin mass production of its 1.4nm process (SF1.4) in 2027, but has since delayed the timeline by about two years as it shifts focus from aggressive node scaling to improving yield stability. The company now plans to introduce an enhanced SF2P+ process alongside SF2P, which is slated for mass production in 2026, the report adds.

In terms of performance, ZDNet states that SF2P offers a 12% improvement, while reducing power consumption by 25% and chip area by 8% compared with the first-generation 2nm process (SF2). The enhanced SF2P+ further integrates optical shrink technology, which scales down circuit dimensions through optical optimization, helping to reduce chip area and enhance both performance and power efficiency.

On Samsung’s continued use of 2nm for the Exynos 2800, the report notes that maintaining the same node as the previous generation helps lower design complexity and improve yield stability. Sources add that development of the Exynos 2700 (codename: Ulysses), also targeting mass production this year, has proceeded relatively smoothly under this approach.

Citing sources, ZDNet indicates that sustaining the pace of annual process node shrinkage for mobile APs is becoming increasingly difficult. As a result, Samsung is shifting its focus to DTCO (Design Technology Co-Optimization), which refers to the co-optimization of semiconductor design and manufacturing processes and is particularly important at leading-edge nodes.

Read more

• [News] Samsung Reportedly Pushes In-House CPU and GPU for Exynos 2800 to Cut Qualcomm, AMD Reliance
• [News] Samsung Unveils Exynos 2600: Industry-First 2nm GAA AP With 113% AI Performance Uplift

(Photo credit: Samsung)