Samsung Targets Exynos 4212 CPU for High-End Devices
Samsung stays with dual-core processors in ultra-mobile devices for now and does switch to quad-cores anytime soon.
The company's Exynos 4212 application processor is based on a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 architecture with a clock speed of 1.5 GHz. The 32 nm production process leverages high-K metal gate technology that allows Samsung to come out with a chip that promises 25 percent more performance with 30 percent less power consumption when compared to the predecessor.
Currently on display at the annual Samsung Mobile Solutions Forum in Taipei, the Exynos 4212 will be sampling to "select customers" in the fourth quarter this year, which would mean that we can expect first smartphones and tablets based on the processor in late 2013.
"As innovative technologies appear on the mobile landscape, the market continues to embrace further developments and performance acceleration in mobile computing," said Seh-Woong Jeong, executive vice president of System LSI sales & marketing, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics. "Samsung is addressing this trend with its powerful low-power Exynos family of processors based on its proven design technology and cutting-edge process technology for performance and power improvements at the system level."
The Exynos 4212 application processor is an apparent departure from quad-core designs, which Samsung pitched in 2010 as 2012 processors and said those chips would enable 3D 1080p displays. There is not much information about this processor - the current generation Exynos can be found as a 1.2 GHz model in the Galaxy S II smartphone, but it will be interesting to see how this chip will compare with the next-generation Qualcomm processors, Nvidia's Kal-El as well as Intel's Atom series. Intel's developers still promise that their Atoms will be faster than their ARM rivals.
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Douglas Perry was a freelance writer for Tom's Hardware covering semiconductors, storage technology, quantum computing, and processor power delivery. He has authored several books and is currently an editor for The Oregonian/OregonLive.
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dalethepcman ReplyIntel's developers still promise that their Atoms will be faster than their ARM rivals.
Faster, but with a 30 minute battery life. Yipee! -
lockhrt999 Replya chip that promises 25 percent more performance
we can expect first smartphones and tablets based on the processor in late 2013
In 2 years performance is going to increase by only 25%? I think this ARM industry is fast moving/upgrading. They can do better. -
rubix_1011 ReplySamsung stays with dual-core processors in ultra-mobile devices for now and does switch to quad-cores anytime soon.
What? Seriously...who is editing around here? -
rantoc dalethepcmanFaster, but with a 30 minute battery life. Yipee!Reply
I wouldn't count them out, with 3d gate + 22nm even the bulkier x86 will become quite darn efficient. What x86 adds in bulkiness for low power devices Intel could still manage to get down to the same power-envelope with their manufacturing advances. So no, i would not count out the titan from the low-power arena just yet. And if they manage that feat, just wait until MS does a win8 for all those devices - it would be sweet to have a unified architecture for em all, imagine running the same software both on the computer, phone and whatever like a pad. That would be sweet in my book! -
CaedenV rantocI wouldn't count them out, with 3d gate + 22nm even the bulkier x86 will become quite darn efficient. What x86 adds in bulkiness for low power devices Intel could still manage to get down to the same power-envelope with their manufacturing advances. So no, i would not count out the titan from the low-power arena just yet. And if they manage that feat, just wait until MS does a win8 for all those devices - it would be sweet to have a unified architecture for em all, imagine running the same software both on the computer, phone and whatever like a pad. That would be sweet in my book!While I generally agree with you, Atom procs are not going to 22nm or Tri-gate any time soon. If they did I think it would revitalize the Atom brand and give ARM a true run for the money. But they have not announced any such plans, so I'm not holding my breath any time soon. And with Win8 coming out for ARM it is really going to put the pressure on Atom as they will not be the only low power platform to run Windows anymore.Reply -
@CaedenVReply
wont happen for an Atom, triGate is not exactly a cheap fab procedure, they will need to also recuperate R&D cost too, not going happen on a dirt cheap CPU like the Atom, not yet anyways -
drapacioli rubix_1011What? Seriously...who is editing around here?Reply
Apparently nobody. Even my 6-year-old cousin caught that one... -
happyballz Actually 1.4Ghz Exonys is in the Samsung Note available now (its coming to AT$T btw)...this Exonys 4212 1.5Ghz rehash is for (samsung made) Nexus Prime that should be debuting around 5th of October. So stay tuned.Reply
Quad cores ARE coming for this time next year so dont doubt that.