Samsung unveils Exynos quad core chip for next Galaxy S


26 Apr 2012

Samsung unveiled its next chip – a 1.4GHz Exynos 4 Quad processor – which is set to power its next Samsung Galaxy S device.

According to Samsung, the quad-core processor is built on 32nm High-k Metal Gate (HKMG) low-power process technology which aims to give the processor twice the capacity over its predecessor, the 45nm Exynos 4 dual core chip, while consuming 20pc less power.

It also has the same dimensions as its predecessor and is pin-to-pin compatible with it, meaning mobile device designers and engineers can quickly integrate the chip with their technology without having to plot redesigns.

The chip is based on the ARM Cortex A9 quad-core processor and has hot-plug functionality to support on-off switching for each core. It also has per-core dynamic voltage and frequency scaling, offering much reduced power consumption by adapting different levels of voltage and frequency when changing tasks.

It has a full HD 30 frames-per-second video hardware codec engine, which supports full HD video recording and playback, and a HDMI 1.4 interface to allow for transmission of media content.

According to Samsung, the Exynos 4 Quad chip will be integrated into its next Samsung Galaxy S device, which is set to be revealed on 3 May.

“Samsung’s next Galaxy device, which will be officially announced soon, offers uncompromised performance and ground breaking multi-tasking features, thanks to Exynos 4 Quad’s powerful performance and efficient energy-management technology,” said Hankil Yoon, senior vice-president of Product Strategy Team, Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business.