According to the information that is being released, the most important models that will arrive in the near future, such as the Samsung Galaxy S6, will use the Snapdragon 810 processor. And this component seems to be the culprit for high-end phones delay their arrival on the market.
The reason for this is that it has been known that there are problems with the SoC what is developing Qualcomm -and will be compatible with 64-bit architecture-. Specifically, one of the things that happens is that the processors They overheat when using a specific voltage, which significantly reduces the performance offered by the component.
Another problem occurs in the GPU that is integrated, the Adreno 430, since the drivers do not work properly, which causes the execution of the games in three dimensions may not be as expected and the graphics may not flow as quickly as desired (there are even malfunctions). In addition, some industry sources suggest that the Adreno + ARM core combination could raise the temperature under intensive loads. Therefore, it seems that there is a delay in the development of the hardware, and this affects the arrival of models such as the LG G4 and the Samsung Galaxy S6, two of the terminals that are expected to use the Snapdragon 810.
In search of solutions
From what has been known Qualcomm is already looking for solutions for its processor, and thus be able to send the SoC to mass production in its factories. The fact is that it seems that having to quickly launch a model compatible with the architecture of 64 bits, once Apple launched its together with the iPhone 5s, it has been able to hurt in the design of the component that will come to be dominated in the high-end product range.
The fact is that this does nothing more than accept the efforts of manufacturers like Samsung to put their own SoC on the market, something that according to reports could occur in mid-2015, and empowers companies like Nvidia and its Tegra. K1. Of course, at least in the case of the Korean company, as it is always expected that there will be two versions of the Samsung Galaxy S6 (one of them with the Snapdragon 810 and the other with the Exynos 7420 compatible with 64-bit architecture).
What exactly is wrong with the Snapdragon 810?
Industrial channel sources point to three fronts. First, the 20 nm manufacturing process TSMC's approach would have been too aggressive, forcing higher density and complicating dissipation. Second, the management of voltages and drivers of the Adreno GPU 430 would have required more maturity, affecting 3D performance. Third, the thinness of some designs—with less room for heat—exacerbates the problem.
- Overheating at certain voltages: penalizes sustained performance and forces frequency drops.
- Immature graphics drivers: : stutters and errors in complex 3D scenes.
- Software thermal management: Updates can mitigate, as seen in cases like the HTC One M9.
- added functions: : the 810 incorporates new features such as SafeSwitch, but the focus is on stabilizing the temperature.
Scenarios for Samsung and the role of Exynos
Faced with uncertainty, several options are being considered. The most obvious is to wait for Qualcomm fix the bugs and then start mass production, assuming a possible delay. Another is to move to Exynos in all variants of the Galaxy S6. This option conflicts with the manufacturing capacity needed to meet global demand, but Samsung has considered it. In fact, reports claim that Qualcomm has been working against the clock to offer Samsung an exclusive variant of the Snapdragon 810 with thermal changes.
It has also been mentioned that Samsung could distribute a first batch with Exynos and, when the 810 is polished, introduce versions with Qualcomm. There was even talk of using a 14nm Exynos 7430/7420, more efficient than the 20nm of the 810, with advantages in consumption and frequencies (peaks of 2,1 GHz are cited versus 1,6 GHz on certain Cortex-A57 cores). In addition, the connectivity integrated into Samsung's SoCs already competes head-to-head with Qualcomm's, opening the door for the Korean firm to become chip supplier for third parties.
In parallel, Qualcomm started a public relations campaign with the support of manufacturers such as LG, Sony, Motorola and Xiaomi, who confirmed the use of the 810 in their flagships. Even so, tests were leaked with heating in demanding scenarios and cases that were mitigated via firmware updatesThe balance between sustained performance, efficiency, and temperature is the key to timing.
Impact on the calendar and the market
If the 810 tweaks arrive on time, the Galaxy S6 could be unveiled at its usual date. Mobile World Congress de Barcelona with Qualcomm and Exynos versions, as has happened in other generations. If not, the launch could prioritize configurations with Exynos in a higher percentage while the 810 stabilizes. This dilemma also affects other actors: the LG G4 and terminals that had planned for 810 could adjust their roadmaps.
The situation strengthens competitors such as Nvidia (Tegra K1) and maintains MediaTek dominating the affordable segment. For Qualcomm, don't lose Samsung It's strategic; for Samsung, doing away with the 810 also has a business impact: if its Exynos 7420 offers a better performance/efficiency ratio, the move is as much technical as it is commercial. Meanwhile, brands that already use the 810—such as the LG G Flex 2 or the Xiaomi Mi Note Pro—serve as a gauge of the silicon's maturity in the real world.
Combining thermal challenges, pressure to throw 64-bit on Android and manufacturing decisions (20 nm vs. 14 nm) explain why the Snapdragon 810 may have upset the Galaxy S6 plans. If Qualcomm fine-tunes drivers, voltages, and custom variants, the ecosystem will get back on track; if not, the Exynos alternative is already on Samsung's radar.
Business Korea Vía: GMFORGAMES..
