Samsung Galaxy S5 Exynos Variant Benchmarked, Strengthens Rumors Of Higher-End Model

Though there have been countless reports about Samsung’s Exynos 5422 chipset being featured in the recently unveiled Galaxy S5 flagship, the Korean manufacturer has not yet confirmed that such a variant would release. Even so, news about the Exynos Galaxy S5 model continues to surface. Most recently, a benchmark performed by GFX Bench may reveal further information about a possible Exynos variant of the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Samsung announced its 2.1GHz octa-core Exynos 5 Octa 5422 processor last Wednesday. The Soc includes four high-power 2.1GHz Cortex-A15 cores and four low-power 1.5 Ghz Cortex-A7 cores. Utilizing Heterogeneous Multi-Processing in addition to ARM’s big.LITTLE architecture, the Exynos 5422 can execute different functions using either processor or both at the same time, making it a “true octa-core” chipset. The Exynos 5422 notably features further optimization, which allows the chipset to support devices with high-resolution WQHD (2560 x 1440) and WQXGA (2560 x 1600) displays, according to Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S5: What the benchmark reveals

Days later, GFX Bench tested a SM-G900H Galaxy S5 model, which it claims features a SoC with specs matching Samsung’s most recent 5 Octa chip. Sources are already skeptical about this benchmark, largely due to the fact that GFX Bench tested a model SM-G900H in February featuring much different specs than have already been revealed for the Galaxy S5. However, some specs listed in the more recent benchmark have many wondering if a yet-to-be announced Galaxy S5 variant will include other news features in addition to the Exynos processor. The benchmark details that this SM-G900H model includes a 5.2-inch Full HD display, but other specs include 1.8 GB RAM, 12GB internal storage, and a 15-megapixel camera (the Galaxy S5 includes 2 GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, and a 16-megapixel camera). Fans and pundits appear more interested in the 5.2-inch display listed, and rumors about a Galaxy S5 model with further undated specs are being revived.

Samsung Galaxy S5: What the rumors say

Prior to the Samsung Galaxy S5 unveiling, rumors circulated that the device would feature a 5.2-inch display. Additionally, pre-release rumors suggested that Samsung may release a moderately updated Galaxy S5 model during its initial launch, followed by an extensively updated Galaxy S5 model months later. Despite that fact that the recent benchmark lists a number of odd specs for the tested SM-G900H model, the 5 Octa SoC coupled with the 5.2-inch display has been enough to spark a renewed interest in this rumor. Other rumors have suggested that a beefed up Galaxy S5 may include a QHD (2560×1440) display resolution, 3GB mobile RAM, and metal incorporated into its external design. Some believe such a model may be called “Galaxy S5 Prime,” in order to distinguish itself from the original Galaxy S5 model, which has already been unveiled.

This would not be the first time Samsung has released variants of its flagship devices with next-generation features. Notably, the Samsung Galaxy S4 released last April with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, while the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A, which features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, released in June. The processor upgrade equips the Galaxy S4 LTE-A to run on LTE-Advanced networks, which allows for data speeds up to 150 Mbps. This variant, however, sells in limited supply, largely in Korea and Europe.

Samsung Galaxy S5: What we already know

Currently, the only processor confirmed for the Samsung Galaxy S5 is the Snapdragon 801, which Qualcomm announced as an S5 component shortly after the device was unveiled. As said, the Exynos 5422 is still unconfirmed as a Galaxy S5 component; however, Samsung has given an indication that an Exynos variant of the device is planned. Also following the Galaxy S5 unveiling, Samsung shared an info-graphic comparing all of the devices in the Galaxy S series, and included both a 2.5GHz quad-core chipset (Snapdragon 801) and a 2.1GHz octa-core chipset. That info-graphic was quickly updated to only include the 2.5GHz quad-core chipset, but reports of a Galaxy S5 Exynos variant were already circulating. The announcement of the 2.1GHz octa-core Exynos 5 Octa 5422 processor has only solidified for many fans that a second Galaxy S5 model is on the way. We keep in mind that it has long been Samsung tradition to release two processor variants of its flagship devices: one with an Exynos processor for 3G networking and one with a Qualcomm processor for LTE capability.

Follow me on Twitter.