Samsung Galaxy S23 could still launch with an Exynos variant
After multiple failed attempts of trying to make Exynos work, the Galaxy S23 series was rumoured to be the first of its kind to launch exclusively with Qualcomm silicon. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is slated to take full advantage of TSMC's N4 node and boost its Cortex-X3 core to 3.5 GHz. However, Samsung doesn't want to kill off Exynos just yet, according to information obtained by Ice Universe.
The leaker posted on Weibo that Samsung's Mobile Experience department wants the Galaxy S23 to be an all-Snapdragon endeavour. A section on Samsung's top brass disagrees with that sentiment and wants to include Exynos 2300 (tentative) powered variants. This is apparently creating a rift in Samsung's upper management.
If the Exynos 2300 ever sees the light of day, it will almost certainly be manufactured on Samsung's 3GAA/3GAE node. It uses an improved GAAFET design over TSMC's FinFET, which should ideally give it an edge. However, Samsung hasn't had many customers for the node, with its only (known) customer being a Chinese cryptocurrency mining equipment maker.
That said, it is unlikely that Samsung will take the two-SoC approach with the Galaxy S23, especially when Exynos has fallen flat against Snapdragon almost every generation. The company would do well to lay low for a generation or two and make its comeback with the "Galaxy-centric" processor it has planned for 2025. Not only will this help Samsung regain customer trust, but also give time for the fledgling 3GAA/3GAE nodes to mature.
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