Samsung's 2026 strategy focuses on AI and chips leadership

The top bosses at Samsung are putting their heads together this week to chart out a strategy for 2026, as the company seeks to capitalize on emerging opportunities amidst intense pressures in the market.

Several closed door sessions will reportedly be held throughout the week with top leaders after a major management shuffle back in November.

TM Roh and Young-hyun Jun, who were recently nominated as the co-CEOs of the consumer device and semiconductor businesses respectively, will chair these strategy meetings. A separate briefing for Chairman Jay Y. Lee will reportedly be held later in the week.

Lee was recently in the United States for important meetings with the likes of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and AMD CEO Lisa Su to expand semiconductor cooperation with US companies. The company intends to emerge as a key semiconductor supplier to major US tech giants.

Central to these discussions are Samsung's plan to play a bigger role in the AI supply chain. The company intends to solidify its position as an important memory and foundry service provider for AI hardware, including ASIC chips, built by companies like Amazon and Meta.

Another key area of focus is the operation of Samsung's $37 billion chipmaking plant in Taylor, Texas. The company is expected to begin mass production of advanced 2nm chips for clients like Tesla at this facility. Samsung expects to win other billion dollar deals from top chip companies in the coming year.

Samsung will also reportedly finalize its launch plans for the Galaxy S26 series at the meeting. There has been some speculation that the Galaxy S26 launch may be delayed from its typical January window to late February.

Production yields for the Exynos 2600 are said to be a concern which may compel Samsung to use its own chipset in limited markets and go with the latest Snapdragon chipset for the Galaxy S26 series elsewhere.