Samsung Electronics’ new mobile application processor (AP), the Exynos 2400, is highly likely to be integrated into its upcoming flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S24, a new opportunity for the company’s semiconductor division to increase sales and for the mobile business to bolster its price competitiveness.

According to sources on Monday, Samsung Electronics is strongly considering using the Exynos 2400 in a high proportion of Galaxy S24 models in Korea and Europe. The non-Exynos models will be powered instead by Qualcomm’s third-generation Snapdragon 8 instead.

In the realm of mobile technology, the application processor (AP) serves as the smartphone’s brain, akin to the central processing unit (CPU) in a computer. Initially, Samsung had been employing a dual-track strategy of utilizing both Exynos and Qualcomm products in Galaxy series, based on geographical markets.

However, following heat issues observed with the Exynos 2200 deployed in the Galaxy S22 series, Samsung excluded the Exynos chip from the Galaxy S23 series this year, opting instead for Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chips.

Earlier this year, the re-entry of the new Exynos 2400 into the Galaxy series was considered premature. Nevertheless, the tide turned recently with leaked performance evaluation scores indicating the Exynos 2400’s remarkable capabilities during its development stage. Particularly noteworthy is its multi-core performance, which outpaces Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a comparable competitor. Enhanced multi-core performance ensures smoother multitasking and lower heat generation. To achieve this, the Exynos 2400 boasts a deca-core configuration with 10 CPU cores, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 takes the octa-core route with eight CPU cores.

Support from Samsung Foundry is another pivotal factor driving the resurgence of the Exynos line. The Exynos 2400 is manufactured using Samsung Foundry’s 4nm process, which has recently witnessed a rapid improvement in yield rates, reaching up to 75 percent. This positions Samsung Foundry on par with its industry counterpart, TSMC.

Samsung Electronics’ plan to reintroduce the Exynos to its Galaxy series aims to reestablish its foothold in the AP market. According to Counterpoint Research, Samsung’s global market share in the smartphone AP market plummeted to 4 percent in the first quarter of this year, halving from the previous quarter. This single-digit market share is the lowest figure recorded since the fourth quarter of 2021.

By Oh Chan-jong and Minu Kim

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]