Note 10 may own the Galaxy S10 with better processor and 5G integration
TL;DR
Just like Snapdragon 855 that can be integrated with either the 4G X20 modem, or the 5G X50 by Qualcomm, Samsung may also have Exynos 9820 on the Galaxy S10, and a 7nm Exynos 9825 with an integrated 5G modem in the second half of 2019 - just in time for the Galaxy Note 10
This year, however, besides the largest ever display on a Note with its rumored 6.7 inches, the Note 10 may also use a faster chipset, at least in its Exynos reincarnation for sale outside the US.
Exynos 9825 may be Samsung's first 7nm chipset
A prominent tipster whose best track record is actually in upcoming mobile chipsets and their features, claims in Chinese social media today that Samsung will release an upgraded Exynos 9825 version in the second half of the year. That would be a highly unusual move and one that might stem from the peculiar state of production nodes this year.
The Galaxy S10 is said to ship with the latest 7nm Snapdragon 855 in the US, but Samsung's newest Exynos 9820 in other markets. The thing is, however, that Exynos 9820 is not a 7nm chipset, but actually utilizes an 8nm die shrink, and is not made with Samsung's 7nm ultraviolet lithography that is perceived to be superior to the TSMC foundry's aging production method that is reaching the end of its abilities.
Apple managed to pull off a 7nm chipset in mass quantities with the A12 in the 2018 iPhones but had to use TSMC for it, as Samsung's EUV machines were still not ready to churn out chips in such quantities.
Samsung's 7nm method is better than the TSMC one in Apple's A12 or in Snapdragon 855
Samsung's chief of the semiconductor LSI division called the technology "challenging," yet mentioned that Samsung expects to become a leader there. Why? Well, it will be the exclusive producer of second-gen 7nm chipsets, made with the so-called extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment that helps laying down the minuscule transistors close to each other without too much drama. We will spare you all the juicy argon fluoride against ultraviolet details and will go straight to the benefits for the end user.
Chips made with the second-gen 7nm EUV lithography can be produced easier now, with better yields, and with a reduced number of masks needed for production that will make them cheaper to make on average. At the same time, compared with the 10nm chips in the Note 9 or iPhone X, the 7nm LPP EUV silicon can be made with a 40% smaller footprint, and either 20% faster, or with the whopping 50% reduction in power draw.
Chips made with the second-gen 7nm EUV lithography can be produced easier now, with better yields, and with a reduced number of masks needed for production that will make them cheaper to make on average. At the same time, compared with the 10nm chips in the Note 9 or iPhone X, the 7nm LPP EUV silicon can be made with a 40% smaller footprint, and either 20% faster, or with the whopping 50% reduction in power draw.
Galaxy Note 10 may come with a better Exynos than the S10
Apparently, they won't be ready for the S10, too, as it is expected to sell in the tens of millions, but the Note 10... well, that's a different beer, of the craft variety, and will be perfect for a cameo of Samsung's first 7nm EUV processors, if the Exynos 9825 ends up being a 7nm version of the 9820. Moreover, this could also be a chipset with integrated 5G connectivity.
The rumored Galaxy S10 5G for Korea will likely use 9820 with the Exynos 5100 modem tacked on as an afterthought, instead of integrated into a full system-on-a-chip. Let's not forget that Qualcomm is also doing something similar, producing two distinct versions of the Snapdragon 855 - one with
The Exynos 9825 may be coming as Samsung's first 7nm chipset with integrated 5G connectivity, and the Galaxy Note 10 may be a prime candidate for it in what is shaping up to be a very cool summer. Now, the only thing left to wonder is if that means the Snapdragon 855 version with Qualcomm's X50 modem will also make a cameo in the Note 10 models for the US.
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