Samsung is set to shake up its chipset strategy for the upcoming Galaxy S24 FE, bringing significant changes to both its US and global markets. Recent Geekbench listings have revealed some unexpected developments that could impact the device's performance and market positioning.
Exynos Returns to the US
In a surprising move, Samsung appears to be equipping the US version of the Galaxy S24 FE with the Exynos 2400 chipset. This marks a significant departure from the company's long-standing practice of using Qualcomm Snapdragon processors in its US flagship models. The last time an Exynos chip appeared in a high-end Samsung device in the US market was nearly a decade ago.
The Underclocked Enigma
While the inclusion of the Exynos 2400 is noteworthy, there's an intriguing twist. Geekbench results suggest that the chipset may be underclocked compared to its standard configuration. The prime Cortex-X4 core, which typically runs at up to 3.21GHz, was observed operating at a maximum of 3.11GHz during the benchmark. This underclocking appears consistent across US, South Korean, and global variants of the Galaxy S24 FE.
Performance Implications
Despite the potential underclocking, the Galaxy S24 FE still managed to score 1996 in single-core and 5678 in multi-core tests on Geekbench. These results were achieved with 8GB of RAM and Android 14 pre-installed. While not top-of-the-line scores, they suggest the device will offer competitive performance in its price range.
Cost-Cutting Measure?
Industry analysts speculate that Samsung's decision to use the Exynos 2400 in the US model could be a cost-cutting measure. With Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 estimated to cost around $200 per unit, using it in a device expected to retail for around $499 would significantly impact profit margins. The Exynos 2400, while potentially offering slightly lower performance, could help Samsung maintain a more attractive price point for consumers.
What to Expect
The Galaxy S24 FE is rumored to feature a 6.7-inch display, a 50MP primary camera, and 256GB of storage. It's also expected to come with IP67 dust and water resistance. Samsung is likely to position this device as a more affordable alternative to its premium S24 lineup, offering a balance of performance and value.
While some users may be disappointed by the departure from Snapdragon chips in the US model, the Exynos 2400 is no slouch. It's Samsung's first SoC produced using 'Fan-out Wafer Level Packaging' (FOWLP), which improves heat resistance and allows for better sustained performance.
The Galaxy S24 FE is anticipated to launch either in the fourth quarter of 2024 or the first quarter of 2025. As always, these pre-release details should be taken with a grain of salt, as Samsung may make changes before the final product launch.
