In a move that could reshape the competitive landscape of mobile silicon, Samsung is reportedly preparing a dramatic return to in-house chip architecture. Leaks suggest the company is developing fully custom CPU and GPU cores for its future flagship processor, the Exynos 2800. This ambitious strategy marks a significant departure from its current reliance on ARM and AMD designs, aiming for the kind of vertical integration that has powered Apple's silicon dominance. The decision comes with considerable risk, as Samsung's previous attempt at custom cores, the "Mongoose" project, ended in failure due to efficiency and thermal issues. This article explores the details of the leak, the historical context of Samsung's custom core efforts, and the potential implications for the future of Android flagship performance.
Reported Chip Details:
- Chipset: Exynos 2800
- Key Feature: Fully custom in-house CPU and GPU architectures
- Target Release: Rumored for Galaxy S28 series (~2028)
- Predecessor Note: Exynos 2600 (expected 2026) may be the last to use AMD RDNA graphics.
- Manufacturing Process: Expected to utilize Samsung's 2nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) technology.
The Leak and the Strategic Shift
According to a report from tech tipster Smart Chip Guide on Weibo, Samsung is actively developing its own custom CPU and GPU architectures for implementation in the Exynos 2800. This chip is rumored to debut in devices like the Galaxy S28 series around 2028. The core of this strategy is a dual abandonment: moving away from standard ARM CPU cores and ending the partnership with AMD for RDNA-based graphics. This represents a clear push for total hardware autonomy, allowing Samsung to control the entire silicon stack from the ground up. The goal is to create a chip uniquely optimized for Samsung's Galaxy ecosystem, enabling deeper software and hardware integration that could unlock new levels of performance, particularly in AI and gaming.
Strategic Shift: Moving Away From Partners
| Component | Current Source (Pre-2800) | Exynos 2800 Plan |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores | ARM's standard ("vanilla") designs | In-house custom architecture |
| GPU | AMD's RDNA graphics architecture | In-house custom architecture |
- Goal: Achieve full vertical integration and hardware autonomy for deeper Galaxy device optimization.
Learning from the Mongoose Disaster
Samsung's path to custom cores is paved with a notable cautionary tale. Between 2016 and 2020, the company invested heavily in its "Mongoose" custom CPU cores. While these cores often achieved competitive peak performance in benchmarks, they gained a notorious reputation for poor power efficiency and excessive heat generation. In real-world usage, devices powered by Mongoose cores frequently lagged behind rivals using Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, suffering from faster battery drain and thermal throttling. This performance gap ultimately forced Samsung to shutter its Austin-based custom CPU design team and retreat to using ARM's off-the-shelf core designs—a humbling moment that many believed signaled the end of Samsung's architectural ambitions.
Historical Context: Samsung's "Mongoose" Cores (2016-2020)
- Project: Samsung's first major attempt at custom CPU cores.
- Outcome: Known for strong peak performance but criticized for poor power efficiency and thermal management, leading to real-world performance issues.
- Result: Project was shut down; Samsung returned to using ARM's standard core designs.
The Drive for Vertical Integration
The renewed push for custom silicon is driven by the compelling success of Apple's vertically integrated model. Apple's control over both hardware and software has yielded industry-leading performance and efficiency. Samsung, by relying on the same ARM CPU blueprints as every other Android manufacturer, faces a fundamental ceiling in differentiation. Developing its own CPU and GPU would allow Samsung to tailor every aspect of the silicon to its specific device designs and software needs. For the GPU, this means moving beyond the marketing benefits of an AMD partnership to creating a graphics processor that can be finely tuned for Samsung's display technology, gaming features, and on-device AI pipelines without external constraints.
Technical Challenges and the Path Forward
The success of the Exynos 2800 project hinges on Samsung's ability to solve the technical problems that doomed the Mongoose cores. The company may be betting on advancements in semiconductor manufacturing to provide a crucial edge. The Exynos 2800 is expected to be fabricated on Samsung's own advanced 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) process node. This next-generation technology promises significant improvements in power efficiency and transistor density, which could provide the necessary foundation for a performant and cool-running custom design. Furthermore, Samsung has several years for development, with the Exynos 2600 (expected in 2026) likely serving as the final chip to use the current AMD GPU architecture, providing a clear runway for the new team.
Implications for the Mobile Market
If successful, a custom-core Exynos 2800 could dramatically alter the Android chipset hierarchy. It would position Samsung as the only Android OEM with a fully integrated silicon strategy akin to Apple's, potentially creating a tangible performance gap between Galaxy devices and other Android flagships. However, the risk of failure is high. A repeat of the Mongoose era's efficiency problems would be a catastrophic blow to the Exynos brand and Samsung's flagship smartphones. The move also signifies a growing desire within Samsung to be a "main character" in the silicon narrative, rather than a customer of ARM and AMD, reflecting the intense strategic importance of controlling core technology in the modern tech landscape.