Android phones may outperform iPhone models by 2026, due to these reasons:
Samsung is set to make a significant leap in smartphone technology with the introduction of its 2nm Exynos chip, expected to power the Galaxy S26 devices. This move marks a shift away from Qualcomm, as Samsung intends to use its own hardware in its flagship phones.
The 2nm Exynos chip is anticipated to deliver an impressive 18% increase in performance at the same power levels, or a 36% power reduction at the same speed. This could potentially position Samsung's devices ahead of the curve, outperforming other Android devices and even challenging the hardware in the upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone 17.
MediaTek, in collaboration with TSMC, has also successfully produced a 2nm chip for powering next-gen smartphones. After Samsung, it is expected that Oppo will be the next smartphone manufacturer to adopt 2nm chips, likely incorporating MediaTek's 2nm Dimensity 9600 in its Find X10 series by the end of 2026. Qualcomm might follow with its 2nm technology in its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 at the end of 2026 or later.
The Exynos 2600 is expected to replace the Exynos 2500, which had performance issues and didn't gain widespread use. This new chip could give Samsung a much-needed advantage over Qualcomm's hardware, especially since the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is expected to remain as a 3nm solution.
The introduction of 2nm chips could make 2026 a significant year for smartphone performance. With Samsung taking an early lead, it's likely that other manufacturers will catch up towards the end of the year. The first hardware using the 2nm MediaTek chip is likely to appear in late 2026, possibly as the Dimensity 9600.
Apple Silicon, used in Apple devices, is manufactured by TSMC and Samsung, suggesting that producing 2nm hardware for other brands paves the way for Apple to do the same. This means the iPhone 18 could potentially feature a 2nm chip, depending on Apple's upgrade cycle.
In conclusion, the shift towards 2nm chips in smartphone technology promises to deliver unprecedented performance levels. Samsung, with its upcoming Exynos 2600, is poised to take the lead in this new era, challenging the status quo and setting a new benchmark for smartphone performance.
