Samsung’s Collaboration with AMD at a Crossroads as Leak Suggests In-House GPU Development
Rumors have surfaced about the status of Samsung’s collaboration with AMD, raising doubts about the future of their partnership. Three years ago, the two companies joined forces with the goal of integrating AMD’s RDNA2 graphics into Samsung’s Exynos chips. This resulted in a significant accomplishment earlier this year when the Galaxy S22 series Exynos 2200 became the first smartphone processor from Samsung to feature the Samsung Xclipse GPU, based on AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture.
In April, Samsung and AMD announced plans to continue their collaboration and deliver high-quality graphics on more mobile devices. However, a recent leak suggests that Samsung might be considering ending this collaboration. According to the leak, Samsung’s System LSI team, responsible for manufacturing the Exynos chips, is exploring the possibility of developing mobile GPUs in-house instead of relying on AMD in the future. This strategic move aims to enhance Samsung’s internal capabilities in crucial areas such as artificial intelligence, automotive technology, ISOCELL camera sensors, and graphics by 2025.
Should these rumors prove accurate, future Exynos processors could feature a Samsung-developed GPU rather than AMD’s architecture. By having full control over the design of critical components of their graphics processors, Samsung would gain more autonomy and flexibility. However, it’s worth noting that the upcoming Exynos 2400, set to launch next year, is expected to continue utilizing an improved AMD-based GPU that promises a doubling of graphical performance.
While the long-term prospects of the Samsung-AMD partnership remain uncertain, the companies’ collaboration is still intact for the upcoming 2023 chips, including the Exynos 2400. It’s important to emphasize that Samsung has neither confirmed nor denied the leaked information, creating an aura of uncertainty surrounding the future of their collaboration with AMD, at least beyond 2025. It’s worth mentioning that Samsung plans to deploy the Exynos 2400 in Asia, Africa, and Europe, while Canada, China, and the US variant of the Galaxy S24 line will feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
As more information emerges, it will become clearer whether Samsung is shifting toward in-house GPU development or if their collaboration with AMD will continue beyond 2025. For now, enthusiasts and consumers will eagerly anticipate advancements in the Exynos processors and the integration of cutting-edge GPU technology to enhance their mobile experiences.
In conclusion, while the leaked rumors raise questions about the future of Samsung’s collaboration with AMD, the companies remain committed to their ongoing partnership. The decision to potentially develop in-house GPUs reflects Samsung’s ambitions to strengthen their internal capabilities. Only time will tell how this dynamic plays out and what it means for the future of mobile graphics technology.
