Over the last couple of years, as we have continued to see different variations of phones arrive in different parts of the world depending on the types of networks involved, one almost always immediately goes to, “Well, this chipset must not support LTE,” as the difference maker. A similar sentiment arose after Samsung announced the Galaxy S4 and the fact that the U.S. in particular would receive a variant sporting a Snapdragon 600 processor instead of their own Exynos 5 Octa. With Qualcomm leading the mobile processor and modem charge when it comes to LTE, it was easy to buy into this idea. 

According to SamMobile, that is most definitely not the case this time around, though. The official Samsung Exynos Twitter account confirmed to them today that the Exynos 5 Octa actually supports all 20 global LTE bands. And truthfully, this shouldn’t surprise anyone, as the Galaxy Note 2 launched at the end of last year with an Exynos chipset and had no issue connecting to U.S. LTE networks.

So why the Snapdragon 600 then? It likely has to do with volume, and the fact that Samsung may not have been able to make enough Octa processors in time to meet their April launch. With Qualcomm pumping out Snapdragon processors by the minute, I’m sure they were more than willing to offer up their support to one of the biggest smartphone manufacturers in the world.

At this point in the game, does it matter to you all that much when it comes to processor manufacturer? The Snapdragon line has dominated the last couple of years, but do you actively choose handsets depending on processor or are they all powerful enough at this point?

Via:  @SamsungExynos | SamMobile

Samsung Exynos 5 Octa Works on All 20 LTE Bands is a post from: Droid Life

If you needed a freshening up on what specs the new Galaxy S4 is bringing to the table, this infographic should be just the thing. Samsung placed this beauty on the Samsung Tomorrow page, giving a clean and cute look at each of the S4′s specs including processors, exact dimensions, version of Android, and more. 

And for safe measure, they even gave us the colors. I am so all about that black mist.

Via: Samsung Tomorrow

Samsung Sums Up Galaxy S4 Specs With Sweet Infographic is a post from: Droid Life

According to the Taipei Times, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s (TSMC) Q1 revenue will be up this year, all thanks to Samsung’s next move. Apparently, to solve the networking issue that stops OEM’s from releasing the same exact phone across the globe, is to simply use multiple chipsets much like we have seen in the past. For America, Samsung is now rumored to use the Snapdragon 600 that works well on our 4G LTE networks, while their in-house Exynos 5 Octa chip will be perfect for European regions. 

While it is sad news that we may not get to see the Octa come to our soil yet, we know the Snapdragon 600 is nothing to be upset about. In fact, thanks to a benchmark that we spotted earlier, this only gives more credit to this report being factual.

The Galaxy S4 is set for unveiling in just a couple of weeks, folks. We’re excited.

Via: Phone Arena

U.S. Galaxy S4 to Come With Snapdragon 600 While Euro Version Gets Exynos 5 Octa? is a post from: Droid Life

According to Korean media outlet Digital Times, Samsung may have to use a different processor in the Galaxy S4 other than the Exynos Octa processor that was unveiled during CES. Instead, they could use one of Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon processors, which wouldn’t be surprising after the benchmark we saw for the Samsung SCH-I545, a device that could be Verizon’s version of the GS4. The processor listed in that benchmark was a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, the same beast that resides in the new HTC One. By no means would this be some sort of a disappointment, you just wouldn’t be able to run around bragging to friends that your phone has a faux octa-core processor.

This report claims that the Octa is having power consumption issues that may not be resolved in time.

All is rumor or speculation until it becomes official.

Via:  Digital Times

Samsung May Go With Qualcomm Chips in Galaxy S4 Instead of the Octa is a post from: Droid Life

Here is a close up on the exterior of the new Exynos 5 Octa processor from Samsung. Not much to say, but it sure is pretty. From the rumors floating around, we can hope to see this chip in the upcoming Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 devices. But of course, nothing is confirmed until Sammy gives the word.

Until then, I will wait patiently to meet her in person.

Via: SamsungExynos

Close Look: Samsung Posts Close Up of Exynos 5 Octa Processor is a post from: Droid Life

Many in the world were unable to directly attend Samsung’s keynote in CES, but thanks to the Internet, we can relive the event anytime we like. On Wednesday morning, Samsung took the stage and introduced us to the future of mobile devices – the Exynos 5 Octa processor and flexible display technology. 

In terms of innovation and forward thinking in the mobile industry, you have to give the award to Sammy. And when it comes to the company that might have us most excited in 2013, I think it’s safe to say that this is the easy choice.

For Exynos 5 Octa talk, skip to 12:34. For flexible display goodness, skip to 39:48.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Watch Samsung’s CES Keynote That Features Exynos 5 Octa and Flexible Display Prototypes is a post from: Droid Life

This morning at Samsung’s keynote, the tech giant dropped news on their newest rendition of the popular Exynos 5 processor. The new chip pairs a set of quad-core chips, giving users superior performance and better battery life. The Exynos 5 Octa chip is being based on the ARM big.LITTLE / Cortex A15 architecture, with Samsung claiming two times the performance in tests with 3D gaming compared to anything else on the market. 

So, what phone will sport the new Octa chip? Could we hope to see it in the Galaxy S4 sometime later this year? No word yet on availability from Samsung, but it’s definitely an exciting time for mobile processors given we have new chips from NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and now Samsung.

Via: Engadget

Samsung Announces Eight-Core Exynos 5 Octa Chip is a post from: Droid Life

Over the weekend, an exploit was found within Samsung’s Exynos processor that powers many devices, including the new Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2. The exploit, if used by a malicious application, could potentially take control of the device’s RAM, which would spell serious trouble for owners. 

Samsung has acknowledged the “potential security issue” and plan to provide a software update very soon to fix the issue:

Samsung is aware of the potential security issue related to the Exynos processor and plans to provide a software update to address it as quickly as possible.

The issue may arise only when a malicious application is operated on the affected devices; however, this does not affect most devices operating credible and authenticated applications.

Samsung will continue to closely monitor the situation until the software fix has been made available to all affected mobile devices.

If waiting for Samsung to issue an official fix doesn’t sound good enough, then developers released a fix of their own until Samsung can catch up. An application, which does not need root access, can fix the exploit in seconds if you are worried about your device’s security. Feel free to download that here. All actions are completely reversible so don’t worry about hurting your phone.

Until then, stop downloading apps from untrustworthy sources.

Via: Android Central

Samsung Issues Statement Regarding Exynos Exploit, Software Fix On The Way is a post from: Droid Life

With news of Texas Instruments pulling their OMAP line of mobile processors out of the game, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to find out the preferred processor for your smartphones and tablets. Clearly, the strongest player in 2012 has been Qualcomm and their Snapdragon S4 that has been thrown in just about every LTE device. NVIDIA with their Tegra 3 and Samsung with their Exynos have lagged behind a touch because of LTE, but things are about to change on that front. We also have Intel as a new player that will eventually make some noise.

Is there a chipset in particular that you prefer? Are you thrilled with the efficiency and power of the Snapdragon S4, especially when paired with LTE? What about the gaming and graphics processing beast, the Tegra 3? Or are you more interested in finally getting the quad-core Exynos processor and LTE in something like the Galaxy Note 2?

And processor gurus, we would love for you to geek out on this one in the comments.

Wednesday Poll: Preferred Mobile Processor? is a post from: Droid Life

Thanks to a tipster of Know Your Mobile, this is the first full frontal shot of the mysterious Galaxy Note 2 from Samsung. Just days ago, we wrote up another leaked image of the device’s bezel and it looks exactly the same, even that huge home button along the bottom. Unfortunately, it looks like Samsung is sticking with that darn button. 

Along with the picture, the tipster has confirmed a 5.5″ display size, one of Sammy’s Super AMOLED displays (no specifics), their new 1.5GHz quad-core Exynos chip inside, 2GB of RAM, and Jelly Bean. Official unveiling of the device is to take place later this month at IFA in Europe.

Update: Just as we posted this, another picture has leaked!

Update 2: As with any other leak of this type, let’s try to remain hopeful, but also skeptical. That’s the nature of the Internet. In a world of a shady tipsters and fantastic Photoshop work, let’s take these as just a small stepping stone until official reveal at IFA later this month. Thanks, folks.

What are your thoughts? Anyone else hoping they ditch the home button before August 29?

Via: Know Your Mobile, Phandroid

More Galaxy Note 2 Pictures Leaked, Home Button is Here to Stay (Update) is a post from: Droid Life

Up until now, the general consensus is that quad-core and LTE radios do not play well with each other. The Tegra 3 and Exynos quad-core processors that have been found in international versions of phones, have been swapped out for a Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor here in the States so that we can have our awesome LTE. It looks like that soon is going to change.

Coming to Korea next week is a version of the Galaxy SIII that has the best of all worlds. Quad-core Exynos processor, LTE connectivity and 2GB of RAM on-board as well. It seems that Samsung has worked out the issues between the radio and processor well enough to release this phone, and should attract a lot of attention for the full spec sheet. Would you prefer this S3 to the dual-core one if it got released in the States?

Via: Engadget

Galaxy SIII With Quad-Core and LTE Coming to Korea July 9, Will We Ever See One? is a post from: Droid Life

Developers who follow Google’s back-end work religiously noticed within the last few days, that edits were made to their Git repository which included references to Samsung’s Exynos 5250 dual-core chipset. That would be the Cortex A15 based processor with the Mali T-604 GPU inside, aka the SoC that we are all hoping would end up in the Galaxy SIII (Exynos 4412 with Cortex A9s and a Mali 400 GPU). Assuming it comes loaded into a device this year, we aren’t sure any other processor will touch it.

More importantly though, people have started to ask one very complex question, “Does this mean Samsung and Google have partnered up to produce the next Nexus, again?” I’d say that’s still anyone’s guess, but if this Git repository is indeed Google’s, then this could be our first hint at that happening (at least on the processor front). One thing to keep in mind is that Exynos and Samsung Mobile are separate from each other. So Google could use an Exynos chipset in something, but that doesn’t mean that Samsung is making the phone too. After all, the Galaxy Nexus had an OMAP4460 chipset made by Texas Instruments inside, but of course, was made by Sammie on the outside. 

What’s interesting is that a 1280×800 resolution was spotted, a resolution normally seen on tablets, well, aside from the Galaxy Note. So then one has to ask, is this the “Nexus” Tablet or what we refer to as the Google Play Tablet? Asus was thought to have been pegged as the maker of that device, but as you all know, their cheap $249 slate that was on display at CES was powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra 3. Maybe Google decided they weren’t interested in powering that little guy with an NVIDIA processor and switched it up on the inside? If that’s the case, wouldn’t the price then be driven up by a brand new processor like the Exynos 5250 and defeat the purpose of it? Or again, this could be a big ol’ phone that we won’t see it until the end of the year when normal Nexus phones roll out. So many questions.

What do you guys make of all of this? Tablet or phone? Sign of things to come or not?

Developers, weigh in.

Via:  SamMobile

Samsung Exynos 5250 Spotted in Google Git Repository, Are They Collaborating Again on the Next Nexus? is a post from: Droid Life

Last night, Samsung announced that its new Exynos quad-core processor would be featured in the soon-to-be-announced Galaxy SIII or “next Galaxy.” The news sort of shocked the world a bit as the device that will sport the chipset, has yet to be unveiled and has been kept as secret as any Android device ever. We almost couldn’t contain our excitement though, as benchmarks from a device with this processor inside have been popping up all over the web, showing off impressive results. 

But what if the phone were to launch in some markets without the new Exynos quad-core beast? According to an anonymous Samsung exec that spoke to the Korea Times, the U.S. may be one of the markets that is left out of the fun. The dual-core Snapdragon S4 could replace the Exynos here in the States, just as it has with Tegra 3 powered European phones of the last few months:

“Samsung plans to release its Galaxy S III smartphone according to different specifications and different markets. For European consumers, it will use 3G and the company’s own quad-core mobile APs, while its own solution that combines LTE, 3G and quad-core mobile APs will be used for the Korean version. But only in the United States, will Samsung use Qualcomm chips,’’ said one Samsung executive asking not to be identified.

While I’m a fan of the Snapdragon S4 and its power, this news should not excite anyone. If the U.S. market is flooded with nothing but dual-core Snapdragon powered phones for the first half of 2012, what fun is that? Where is the differentiation? Part of the joy of Android is the different processors, screen types, build materials, and skins, but if all of today’s phones are powered by the same chipset, it lessens the buzz. At least to me anyway.

Via:  Korea Times | GottaBeMobile

U.S. Versions of Samsung’s Galaxy SIII to Use Snapdragon S4 Processors Instead of Exynos Quad-core? is a post from: Droid Life

We no longer have to rely on the rumors, folks. Samsung has officially announced that their brand new quad-core Exynos processor, clocked at a hefty 1.4GHz, will power the new Galaxy SIII that is to be unveiled next month in London. Samsung states that the new chip can deliver twice the computing power at 20% lower power consumption over their already battery-efficient dual-core chip. Samsung’s VP of System LSI marketing had this to say about the new Exynos processor:

The quad-core processor offers phenomenal multitasking abilities surpassing any single or dual application processor. Since all the cores must share a single battery, the power management and efficiency in the limited battery capacity are indispensable for mobile computing devices. Given the diverse functionalities consumers are demanding from their mobile devices today, the Exynos 4 Quad meets those high-performance needs while keeping power consumption very low.

Now that the new quad-core Exynos is official and we know that it will power the upcoming SGSIII, who here can’t wait for this thing to come to the States? Read the full press release down below. 

Samsung’s New Quad-Core Application Processor Drives Advanced Feature Sets in Smartphones and Tablets 

Designed on 32nm HKMG process, new energy-efficient chip exceeds 1.4GHz per core.

SEOUL, Korea–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a world leader in advanced semiconductor solutions, today introduced the industry’s first quad-core application processor built on the High-k Metal Gate (HKMG) low-power process technology. With unprecedented performance capabilities exceeding 1.4GHz based on the ARM® CORTEXTM A9 quad-core, the powerful, yet energy-efficient Exynos 4 Quad, allows system-level architects to integrate maximized power efficiencies into smartphones and tablets which enables double the processing power at a 20 percent lower power bill over its predecessor, the 45nm process-based Exynos 4 Dual.

“The quad-core processor offers phenomenal multitasking abilities surpassing any single or dual application processor. Since all the cores must share a single battery, the power management and efficiency in the limited battery capacity are indispensable for mobile computing devices,” said Taehoon Kim, vice president of System LSI marketing, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics. “Given the diverse functionalities consumers are demanding from their mobile devices today, the Exynos 4 Quad meets those high-performance needs while keeping power consumption very low.”

Multi-core processing delivers enhanced performance, enabling users to accomplish more tasks in a shorter period of time. For example, a task such as streaming video can run on one core while the other cores update applications in the background, connecting to the web and scanning virus-check simultaneously.

Benefitting from a use case where the parallel processing and workload sharing among the four cores is necessary, the Exynos 4 Quad is particularly well-suited for heavy-load applications such as 3D games, video editing, and calculation-intensive simulation.

Due to its 32nm HKMG low-power process and power-saving design, the Exynos 4 Quad has two times the processing capability over the 45nm process based Exynos 4 Dual while consuming 20-percent less power. To improve power efficiency, Samsung adopted hot-plug functionality to support on-off switching for each core as well as the per-core dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS), which offers a dramatic reduction in power consumption by adapting different levels of voltage and frequency when changing workloads.

Having identical form factor measurements (12mm X 12mm X 1.37 mm), the Exynos 4 Quad is pin-to-pin compatible with the 32nm process based Exynos 4 Dual, allowing mobile device designers to immediately adopt the new solution without additional cost, engineering or design efforts.

In addition, the new processor incorporates a full HD 30 frame per second video hardware codec engine for high resolution 1080p video recording and play-back, an embedded image signal processor interface for high-quality camera functionality and an HDMI 1.4 interface for sharp and crisp multimedia content transmission.

Samsung developed a power management IC (PMIC), the S5M8767, as a companion chip to power the Exynos 4 Quad processor. By integrating various circuitry such as nine highly efficient and programmable buck converters and 28 low-dropout regulators (LDOs) into the small package of 5.0 mm x 5.0mm x 0.4mm, the S5M8767 is designed to scale up or down the dynamic voltage depending on the clock speed in 6.25mV step for managing power delivery and maximizing battery life at the system level.

Already in production, the Exynos 4 Quad is scheduled to be adopted first into Samsung’s next Galaxy smartphone that will officially be announced in May. Samsung’s Exynos 4 Quad is also sampling to other major handset makers.

“The application processor is a crucial element in providing our customers with a PC-like experience on mobile devices. Samsung’s next Galaxy device, which will be officially announced soon, offers uncompromised performance and ground breaking multi-tasking features, thanks to Exynos 4 Quad’s powerful performance and efficient energy management technology,” said Hankil Yoon, Senior Vice President of Product Strategy Team, Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business.

Last year, Samsung introduced a new online hub dedicated to its Exynos processor. Designed to facilitate easy communication with industry partners and end users, the new micro-site takes you a step closer to the ultimate experience Exynos delivers; product information, user experience and information on promotion events. More information can be found at http://www.samsung.com/exynos.

Samsung Announces 1.4GHz Quad-Core Exynos Processor, Will Come Equipped in New Galaxy SIII is a post from: Droid Life

A GLBenchmark for the GT-i9300 and its Exynos 4412 quad-core processor appeared this morning, showing off some pretty impressive marks. We are still without confirmation that the i9300 is actually the Galaxy SIII, but after seeing last week’s mega-leak of a device with that model number on video, we have nothing else to go on. At one point we were on the i9300 as being the SGS3, then were off of it, and now, are sort of back on again. Anyways, let’s talk about this benchmark and how it compares to the other top two SoCs on the block, the Tegra 3 and Snapdragon S4. 

As you can see in both Egypt and Pro tests, neither the quad-core Tegra 3 or dual-core S4 can keep up with Exynos chip. This is of course just one single benchmark, but GL is one of the standards that we seem to go back to time and time again with new phones and new processors. Looking at these though, you have to be somewhat impressed at the power of Samsung’s latest work. The benchmarks we saw last year with the dual-core Exynos in the Galaxy SII blew our minds and it appears as if we are about to be wowed again.

Now, if we could get confirmation that Samsung has figured out how to pair LTE with this beast, our lives would be almost complete.

Via:  Android and Me

Samsung Galaxy SIII Benchmarked? Here is How Its Quad-core Exynos Chip Compares to the Tegra 3 and Snapdragon S4 is a post from: Droid Life