Samsung doesn’t have to prove how much it depends on innovation anymore. After unveiling a prototype of its first foldable smartphone last week, the tech giant this week showed off its latest system-on-chip, the Exynos 9820. Samsung’s latest octa-core silicon mobile application processor (AP) features a fourth-generation custom CPU core, a dedicated artificial intelligent (AI) processor: neural processing unit (NPU), and an advanced LTE modem with up to 2.0Gbps downlink speed.
AI processors should feature higher efficiency and computational capabilities as AI-related services and applications diversify in mobile services, said Samsung’s System LSI marketing VP Ben Hur. Smart devices will achieve new performance dimensions using the AI capabilities in the Samsung Exynos 9820 through an integrated NPU, 2.0Gbps LTE modem, high-performance fourth-generation custom processor, and advanced multimedia performance, he added.
For connectivity, the Samsung Exynos 9820 uses an advanced LTE modem which supports Category 20 LTE (not 5G NR capable), 20Gpbs download speed with 8x CA and up to 316Mbps uplink speed.
Samsung said a new “tri-cluster” architecture of the Exynos 9820, which consists of 4 energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores, 2 high-performance ARM Cortex-A75 cores, and 2 custom-designed cores, delivers a 15% multi-core performance boost if used with the improved task scheduler and designed on an 8-nm FinFET processor.
The Samsung Exynos 9820 performance rating
The Exynos 9820’s overall power efficiency is improved by 40%. It is 20% better than the Exynos 9810 on a single-core performance and consumes 10% less power than its predecessor, according to Samsung. Also, the current NPU is alleged to perform AI tasks about 7 times faster than the previous model. Well, the Exynos 9820 is the first SoC by Samsung to have a dedicated AI chip. Apple and Huawei have developed something similar.
When it comes to graphics performance, the Exynos 9820 is impressive. Compared to the Exynos 9810, the new chip’s Mali-G76 MP12 GPU supports wider execution engines with dual lanes, which enables a 40% performance bump and 35% efficiency improvement.
The upgraded image signal processor (ISP) of the new Exynos 9 series has up to five sensors that support faster focus. In addition, the Exynos 9820 supports up to 16-megapixel dual-camera setups or 22-megapixels on the front and rear. Smart devices powered by the chip can record high dynamic range in 10-bit color, and encode or decode 4K videos at 150 fps or 8K videos at 30fps.
We are expecting the SoC to power the upcoming Galaxy S10 lineups and the foldable smartphone rumored to be unveiled in March 2019.
For connectivity, the Samsung Exynos 9820 uses an advanced LTE modem which supports Category 20 LTE (not 5G NR capable), 20Gpbs download speed with 8x CA and up to 316Mbps uplink speed.
The Exynos 9820 also features improved security capabilities. It has an isolated security chip that manages biometric information such as fingerprint and facial scans.
Samsung says it would start mass production of the Exynos 9820 by the end of 2018. We are expecting the SoC to power the upcoming Galaxy S10 lineups and the foldable smartphone rumored to be unveiled in March 2019.
