Samsung Electronics’ Exynos 2500, a next-generation mobile application processor (AP) currently in development, has reportedly shown performance metrics comparable to Qualcomm’s latest mobile chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In terms of power efficiency, it outperforms Apple’s system on a chip, the Apple A15 Bionic.
While the Exynos 2500 is showing positive results at this stage, analysts believe that Samsung still has a long way to go before catching up with Apple and Qualcomm. Both companies are expected to launch improved chips next year. Qualcomm introduced Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 last year, and Apple released the A15 two years ago.
Samsung’s Exynos 2500, produced with Samsung’s second-generation 3-nanometer gate-all-around (GAA) process, operates at 3.20 gigahertz (GHz), according to sources familiar with the matter on July 16. Samsung has focused on improving the chip’s power efficiency, achieving a higher power ratio than the A15 while matching the clock speed of Qualcomm’s latest APs.
Samsung is striving to make the Exynos 2500 as power-efficient as Apple’s latest AP, the A17 Pro. But as higher clock speeds make achieving a high power ratio more difficult, design and manufacturing engineers are exploring various alternatives.
“The greatest advantage of the 3-nanometer GAA process is the improved power efficiency compared to previous generations,” a senior Samsung official said. “Samsung’s Mobile Experience (MX) division is prioritizing low-power design for on-device AI, so the foundry division is focused on quickly stabilizing the 3-nanometer GAA process.”
