17 July 2023 , 13:05
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Samsung's current Galaxy S23 range of devices have wowed the critics with some already calling the Ultra the best phone of 2023. These premium handsets include pin-sharp displays, impressive rear cameras and are all powered by Qualcomm's blistering quick Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
The inclusion of that single chipset marked a major change from Samsung in 2023 with many of the firm's previous flagships opting for different processors depending on the region you live in.
For example, when the Galaxy S22 launched in 2022, those buying it in the US got Qualcomm brawn whilst fans on this side of the pond found their new phones were powered by Samsung's own Exynos brains.
It was all very confusing and it left some feeling short-changed as speed tests performed by tech experts revealed that Qualcomm's processors were often marginally faster.
In fact, one performance review by the team at PhoneBuff showed how the Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S22 breezed through tasks over 30 seconds quicker than the Exynos model - it also lasted longer in battery drain checks.
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When the Galaxy S23 arrived back in February we all breathed a sigh of relief with Samsung ditching its confusing processor strategy in favour of that 8 Gen 2 chip which is included no matter where you buy the phone.
Now there are rumours that the Korean technology company could be mulling the resurgence of its Exynos chipset and the return of different power depending on the region.
The first phone moving back to Samsung brains could be the mid-range Galaxy S23 Fan Edition (FE) which may arrive later this year. This could then be followed by some models of the Galaxy S24 in the early part of 2024.
To add fuel to the fire, Samsung's Hyeokman Kwon, Vice President of the DS Division recently said in an earnings call that the firm is "pushing for the return of Exynos to the flagship of the Galaxy series.”
Samsung Android update (SAMSUNG)Although many Galaxy fans might be left confused by the change one analyst thinks the return of the Exynos chip in the UK version of the Galaxy S24 seems unlikely.
Speaking to Mirror Online Ben Wood, Chief Analyst at CCS Insight, said: “Around this time of year, Samsung typically unveils its entry-level Galaxy S-series device – which will likely be called the Galaxy S23 FE (Fan Edition). Because this is the lowest-cost variant in the line-up, it makes sense that Samsung will deploy its in-house Exynos chipset which typically has lower performance benchmarks than the Qualcomm-powered Snapdragon platform.”
“Recently, the industry rumour mill has also been speculating that Samsung’s Exynos chipset could be deployed in some variants of next year’s flagship Galaxy S24 family of devices. This is a strategy Samsung has adopted in the past, offering the Exynos variant to the European market, while delivering the Qualcomm solution to other markets such as the US and South Korea.
"The decision proved unpopular with technology enthusiasts and some network operators who liked the predictability and performance advantages of the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform and there was delight in some quarters when the Galaxy S23 series was launched with the Snapdragon platform in all markets.
"I’d be surprised if Samsung decided to return to Exynos for the important European market, but we might see it in some smaller markets to ensure Samsung’s in-house platform stays in the game. It’s also likely there is an element of Samsung wanting to keep Qualcomm on its toes too.”
Qualcomm's next 8 Gen 3 chip will be revealed in October during the firm's Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii and it's almost certain to take power and efficiency to a whole new level. This upgrade is also likely to boost picture quality from the rear cameras and help with AI tasks performed on the device.
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It's sure to be another mighty update from Qualcomm, just be aware that your Galaxy S24 might not feature it.