After opting for Qualcomm Snapdragon processors in its Galaxy S23 series, Samsung might bring back its in-house Exynos processors for select markets. The decision to switch to Snapdragon chips was seen as a positive move by consumers, but a new report suggests that Samsung could be reconsidering its approach.
Exynos Returns for Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S23 FE
According to a reliable source, Samsung is contemplating a comeback of Exynos processors not only for the Galaxy S23 FE, set to release later this year but also for the next-generation Galaxy S24 flagship series, expected next year. The company plans to release Exynos variants in certain markets, such as Europe and Asia while offering Snapdragon variants in regions like the United States and South Korea.
The report aligns with the recent Geekbench listing of the Galaxy S23 FE, which showed two variants: one with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and another featuring the Exynos 2200. The former is intended for the U.S. market, while the latter is aimed at global markets.
Potential Implications and Improvements
Although the use of Exynos chips in the Galaxy S23 FE might not raise many concerns, equipping the top-tier Galaxy S24 flagship with Exynos processors has raised eyebrows. Customers in regions where Exynos variants were released, like India, have previously voiced complaints about inferior performance compared to Snapdragon variants. Issues like overheating, performance throttling, and battery drain have been among the grievances. For instance, the Galaxy S21 FE in India was refreshed with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC instead of the original Exynos 2100 chip.
Industry analysts speculate that Samsung might want to maintain its in-house platform’s presence in smaller markets and may use Exynos to keep Qualcomm on its toes.
The Exynos 2400 SoC development is underway, expected to succeed the Exynos 2200 and offer significant improvements, including a speculated 4X improvement in GPU performance. Benchmarks have impressed so far, but real-world performance remains a key consideration.
Uncertainty Remains
While the possibility of Exynos’ return seems intriguing, nothing is definitive yet. Customer feedback on the Galaxy S23 FE Exynos variant launch could influence Samsung’s final decision. As the tech giant continues to innovate, the future of Exynos chips in premium Galaxy smartphones remains uncertain.