Both the Exynos 2100 and Snapdragon 888 are 5nm chipsets and the switch to a smaller node size brings improvements in performance and reduction in power consumption compared to their predecessors. They also feature ARM CPU cores in the same 1 + 3 + 4 arrangement and have 5G modems built-in.
The following table shows a spec-by-spec comparison of the two processors:
Processor | Exynos 2100 | Snapdragon 888 |
---|---|---|
Node size | 5nm EUV | 5 nm |
CPU | 1 x ARM Cortex-X1 at 2.9GHz 3 x ARM Cortex-A78 at 2.8GHz 4 x ARM Cortex-A55 at 2.2GHz | 1 x ARM Cortex-X1 at 2.84GHz 3 x ARM Cortex-A78 at 2.40GHz 4 x ARM Cortex-A55 at 1.8GHz |
GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 (14 colors) | Adreno 660 |
ISP | Name not available Support for a single camera up to 200 Mpx | Spectra ™ 580 Support for a single camera up to 200 Mpx |
AI engine | Name not available Triple-core NPU | Hexagon 780 26 TOPS |
Maximum screen on device | 4K at 60Hz QHD + at 144Hz | 4K at 60Hz QHD + at 144Hz |
Maximum external display | 8K | 4K at 60Hz |
Modem | Name not available Maximum download speed: 7.35 Gbps | Snapdragon X60 5G Maximum download speed: 7.5 Gbps |
Connectivity | No details provided | Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz |
CPU
The two chips have the same CPU cores and the same layout. However, the Exynos 2100 is the winner in this category, as all of its CPU cores are clocked higher than those of the Snapdragon 888 processor.
GPU
Both chipsets feature new GPUs that bring significant updates over their predecessors. We have already seen how the Mali-G78 performs on the Kirin 9000 and Exynos 1080 processors. However, although all three chipsets have the same GPU, their performance varies as a result of the number of cores they have.
Exynos 2100 GPU
The Exynos 2100 has 14 GPU cores, four more than the Exynos 1080 but ten fewer than the Kirin 9000. A test result from AnTuTu already showed us that the 24-core GPU in the Kirin 9000 lags a bit behind the Adreno 660 GPU inside the Snapdragon 888. With fewer cores from the Exynos 2100, the gap is expected to be wider, although It should be less than the gap between the Exynos 1080 as it has four more cores.
Snapdragon 888 Adreno 660 GPU
So even though Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 wins this round, there is still good news for fans of the Exynos 2100, as its GPU score is sure to surpass that of the Snapdragon 865 Plus. The Exynos 1080 already has a higher GPU score (239,408 points) than the Snapdragon 865 Plus (236,287 points), so the Exynos 2100 should expand the margin. Don’t forget that this is just a comparison on paper and a more detailed review will contain more complete details such as frame rates and game temperatures.
AI
In this category, we will say that it is a tie. The Exynos 2100’s triple-core NPU boasts up to 26 billion operations per second (TOPS), the same figure Qualcomm advertises for the Hexagon 780 in the Snapdragon 888.
ISP
The Exynos 2100 ISP has some impressive features. From support for 200MP cameras, to support for 120FPS 4K video recording and 60FPS 8K video playback, users should be able to see the benefits when recording their cherished memories. The chipset is also the first in the industry to have support for the AV1 decoder for 8K. The Spectra 580 in the Snapdragon 888 has some punch too. Not only does it support 200MP cameras, but it also has 8K video capture at 30 FPS and 4K HDR recording with computational HDR.
Connectivity
The two manufacturers have decided to go for an integrated 5G modem for the flagship processors. Both support mmWave and sub-6GHz spectra. Samsung doesn’t say what Wi-Fi technology its new chipset supports, but it should have Wi-Fi 6 but we don’t know if it has Wi-Fi 6E which the Snapdragon 888 has.
conclusion
Samsung has done well with its chipset and fans should be happy. It has a more powerful CPU than the Snapdragon 888 and its ISP brings some significant improvements. However, the Qualcomm chipset has the advantage of the GPU and it also has a great ISP. Based on the comparisons, we’ll say the result is a tie, but a real-world comparison of commercial devices that run on the two chipsets will show us which chipset is better overall.