MediaTek established a mobile processor design approach in November 2023 when its Dimensity 9300 eliminated efficiency cores from the architecture, prompting Qualcomm to follow with its Snapdragon 8 Elite series in 2024. The strategy has proven effective as the recently released Dimensity 9500 achieves benchmark scores competitive with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, surpassing it in AnTuTu 10 testing while delivering strong Geekbench 6 results.
Samsung continues incorporating efficiency cores in its Exynos lineup despite thermal and performance challenges, with the Exynos 2500 trailing competitors significantly in benchmarks. Leaked testing suggests the forthcoming Exynos 2600 matches Dimensity 9500 single-core performance and exceeds its multi-core scores, though analysts suggest abandoning efficiency cores could yield greater gains. Industry observers note Samsung faces substantial costs from its design choices, including an estimated 4 billion dollars to source Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processors for Galaxy S26 Ultra devices.
Samsung continues incorporating efficiency cores in its Exynos lineup despite thermal and performance challenges, with the Exynos 2500 trailing competitors significantly in benchmarks. Leaked testing suggests the forthcoming Exynos 2600 matches Dimensity 9500 single-core performance and exceeds its multi-core scores, though analysts suggest abandoning efficiency cores could yield greater gains. Industry observers note Samsung faces substantial costs from its design choices, including an estimated 4 billion dollars to source Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processors for Galaxy S26 Ultra devices.
