The world of smartphones is dominated by two major players in the processor market: Exynos and Snapdragon. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and the debate about which one is better has been ongoing for years. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of both processors, comparing their performance, power efficiency, and features to help you decide which one comes out on top.
Understanding Exynos And Snapdragon
Before we dive into the comparison, let’s take a brief look at what Exynos and Snapdragon are.
Exynos is a series of processors developed by Samsung, a South Korean multinational conglomerate. Exynos processors are used in a wide range of devices, from budget-friendly smartphones to high-end flagships. They are known for their high-performance capabilities and power efficiency.
Snapdragon, on the other hand, is a series of processors developed by Qualcomm, an American multinational corporation. Snapdragon processors are used in a vast majority of Android devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. They are known for their fast performance, low power consumption, and advanced features.
Performance Comparison
When it comes to performance, both Exynos and Snapdragon processors have their strengths and weaknesses. Exynos processors are known for their high-performance capabilities, thanks to their custom-designed CPU cores. The Exynos 2100, for example, features a tri-cluster CPU design with a large core, a medium core, and a small core. This design allows for better multitasking and improved performance in demanding tasks.
Snapdragon processors, on the other hand, use a more traditional CPU design with a focus on power efficiency. The Snapdragon 888, for example, features a Kryo 680 CPU with a large core, a medium core, and a small core. While it may not match the Exynos 2100 in terms of raw performance, it makes up for it with its advanced power management features.
In terms of real-world performance, both processors deliver smooth and responsive experiences. However, the Exynos 2100 has a slight edge in terms of gaming performance, thanks to its custom-designed GPU. The Mali-G78 MP14 GPU in the Exynos 2100 provides better graphics performance and faster frame rates compared to the Adreno 660 GPU in the Snapdragon 888.
Benchmark Scores
To give you a better idea of the performance difference between Exynos and Snapdragon processors, let’s take a look at some benchmark scores.
| Processor | Geekbench 5 (Single-Core) | Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core) |
| — | — | — |
| Exynos 2100 | 1,233 | 4,094 |
| Snapdragon 888 | 1,143 | 3,838 |
As you can see, the Exynos 2100 has a slight edge in terms of single-core performance, while the Snapdragon 888 is not far behind in terms of multi-core performance.
Power Efficiency Comparison
Power efficiency is another important aspect to consider when comparing Exynos and Snapdragon processors. Both processors have their own power management features, but they differ in their approach.
Exynos processors use a more traditional power management approach, with a focus on reducing power consumption through voltage and frequency scaling. The Exynos 2100, for example, features a power management system that can dynamically adjust the voltage and frequency of the CPU, GPU, and memory to reduce power consumption.
Snapdragon processors, on the other hand, use a more advanced power management approach, with a focus on using artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize power consumption. The Snapdragon 888, for example, features a power management system that uses AI to predict and adapt to the user’s behavior, reducing power consumption and improving battery life.
In terms of real-world power efficiency, both processors deliver excellent battery life. However, the Snapdragon 888 has a slight edge in terms of power efficiency, thanks to its advanced AI-powered power management features.
Power Consumption Comparison
To give you a better idea of the power efficiency difference between Exynos and Snapdragon processors, let’s take a look at some power consumption data.
| Processor | Power Consumption (Idle) | Power Consumption (Gaming) |
| — | — | — |
| Exynos 2100 | 1.2W | 6.5W |
| Snapdragon 888 | 1.1W | 6.2W |
As you can see, the Snapdragon 888 has a slight edge in terms of power efficiency, both in idle and gaming scenarios.
Features Comparison
Both Exynos and Snapdragon processors have their own set of features, but they differ in their approach.
Exynos processors have a focus on providing high-performance capabilities, with features like custom-designed CPU cores and advanced GPU architectures. The Exynos 2100, for example, features a tri-cluster CPU design and a Mali-G78 MP14 GPU.
Snapdragon processors, on the other hand, have a focus on providing advanced features like AI-powered power management, 5G connectivity, and advanced camera capabilities. The Snapdragon 888, for example, features a Kryo 680 CPU, an Adreno 660 GPU, and a Hexagon 780 DSP.
In terms of real-world features, both processors deliver excellent performance and capabilities. However, the Snapdragon 888 has a slight edge in terms of advanced features, thanks to its AI-powered power management and 5G connectivity.
Camera Capabilities Comparison
Camera capabilities are an important aspect to consider when comparing Exynos and Snapdragon processors. Both processors have their own camera capabilities, but they differ in their approach.
Exynos processors have a focus on providing high-quality camera capabilities, with features like advanced image signal processing (ISP) and multi-camera support. The Exynos 2100, for example, features a dual-camera ISP and supports up to 200MP camera sensors.
Snapdragon processors, on the other hand, have a focus on providing advanced camera capabilities, with features like AI-powered camera processing and multi-frame noise reduction. The Snapdragon 888, for example, features a Spectra 580 ISP and supports up to 200MP camera sensors.
In terms of real-world camera capabilities, both processors deliver excellent image quality and features. However, the Snapdragon 888 has a slight edge in terms of advanced camera capabilities, thanks to its AI-powered camera processing and multi-frame noise reduction.
Camera Features Comparison
To give you a better idea of the camera capabilities difference between Exynos and Snapdragon processors, let’s take a look at some camera features.
| Processor | Camera ISP | Multi-Camera Support | AI-Powered Camera Processing |
| — | — | — | — |
| Exynos 2100 | Dual-camera ISP | Up to 200MP | No |
| Snapdragon 888 | Spectra 580 ISP | Up to 200MP | Yes |
As you can see, the Snapdragon 888 has a slight edge in terms of advanced camera capabilities, thanks to its AI-powered camera processing and multi-frame noise reduction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Exynos and Snapdragon processors have their strengths and weaknesses. Exynos processors have a focus on providing high-performance capabilities, while Snapdragon processors have a focus on providing advanced features like AI-powered power management and 5G connectivity.
While the Exynos 2100 has a slight edge in terms of raw performance, the Snapdragon 888 has a slight edge in terms of power efficiency and advanced features. Ultimately, the choice between Exynos and Snapdragon processors depends on your specific needs and preferences.
If you’re looking for a processor with high-performance capabilities and custom-designed CPU cores, the Exynos 2100 may be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a processor with advanced features like AI-powered power management and 5G connectivity, the Snapdragon 888 may be the better choice.
We hope this article has helped you make an informed decision about which processor is better for your needs.
What Is The Main Difference Between Exynos And Snapdragon Processors?
The main difference between Exynos and Snapdragon processors lies in their architecture, manufacturing process, and performance. Exynos processors are designed by Samsung and are primarily used in their Galaxy series smartphones, while Snapdragon processors are designed by Qualcomm and are used by a wide range of smartphone manufacturers. Exynos processors are known for their high-performance capabilities, while Snapdragon processors are known for their power efficiency.
In terms of architecture, Exynos processors use a combination of ARM Cortex-A cores and Mali graphics processing units (GPUs), while Snapdragon processors use a combination of Kryo cores and Adreno GPUs. The manufacturing process also differs, with Exynos processors being manufactured using Samsung’s 5nm or 4nm process, while Snapdragon processors are manufactured using TSMC’s 5nm or 4nm process.
Which Processor Is Better For Gaming?
When it comes to gaming, the choice between Exynos and Snapdragon processors depends on various factors such as the type of games you play, the display resolution, and the cooling system of your smartphone. However, in general, Snapdragon processors are considered better for gaming due to their Adreno GPUs, which provide faster graphics rendering and lower power consumption.
Exynos processors, on the other hand, use Mali GPUs, which can provide similar performance to Adreno GPUs but may consume more power. However, Samsung has been working to improve the performance of their Mali GPUs, and recent Exynos processors have shown significant improvements in gaming performance. Ultimately, the choice between Exynos and Snapdragon for gaming depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Which Processor Is More Power-efficient?
Snapdragon processors are generally considered more power-efficient than Exynos processors. This is because Snapdragon processors use a more advanced manufacturing process and have a more efficient architecture, which allows them to consume less power while providing similar performance.
Exynos processors, on the other hand, can consume more power due to their higher clock speeds and more powerful GPUs. However, Samsung has been working to improve the power efficiency of their Exynos processors, and recent models have shown significant improvements in battery life. Ultimately, the choice between Exynos and Snapdragon for power efficiency depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Which Processor Is More Widely Supported By Smartphone Manufacturers?
Snapdragon processors are more widely supported by smartphone manufacturers than Exynos processors. This is because Snapdragon processors are designed to be used by a wide range of manufacturers, while Exynos processors are primarily designed for use in Samsung’s Galaxy series smartphones.
As a result, Snapdragon processors are used by many different manufacturers, including Google, OnePlus, and Xiaomi, while Exynos processors are mainly used by Samsung. This means that Snapdragon processors have a wider range of software support and are more likely to receive updates and security patches.
Which Processor Is More Expensive?
Exynos processors are generally more expensive than Snapdragon processors. This is because Exynos processors are designed to provide high-performance capabilities and are manufactured using a more advanced process.
Snapdragon processors, on the other hand, are designed to provide a balance between performance and power efficiency, and are manufactured using a more cost-effective process. As a result, Snapdragon processors are generally less expensive than Exynos processors, which can make them a more attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
Which Processor Has Better Software Support?
Snapdragon processors generally have better software support than Exynos processors. This is because Snapdragon processors are used by a wide range of manufacturers, which means that they have a larger community of developers and a wider range of software support.
Exynos processors, on the other hand, are primarily used by Samsung, which means that they have a more limited range of software support. However, Samsung has been working to improve the software support for their Exynos processors, and recent models have shown significant improvements in terms of updates and security patches.
Which Processor Is Better For Everyday Use?
For everyday use, the choice between Exynos and Snapdragon processors depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize high-performance capabilities and are willing to pay a premium for them, then an Exynos processor may be the better choice.
On the other hand, if you prioritize power efficiency and are looking for a more affordable option, then a Snapdragon processor may be the better choice. Ultimately, both Exynos and Snapdragon processors can provide excellent performance and power efficiency, and the choice between them depends on your specific needs and preferences.