Galaxy S3 - US Variant will be DUAL-core?

[brokenrob]

Posted on Tech&Trend yesterday:

"...it seems that those who are awaiting the highly anticipated device in the US won't get to experience the quad-core chip as the US version of the device will sport a Qualcomm dual-core instead, an unnamed Samsung executive told The Korea Times.

The executive said that Samsung would release its Galaxy S3 smartphone according to different specifications and different markets. For European consumers, it would use its own quad-core processor with 3G, while its own solution that combines LTE, 3G and quad-core processor will be used for the Korean version. The only exception would be the US version, which would be using Qualcomm chips."

Link to the article:
Samsung Galaxy S3's US Variant To Feature Qualcomm Dual-Core Chips, Not Quad-Core [Report] - International Business Times

If this is true, does this change your mind about the GS3? And if so, what is going to be the next best thing? Curious because I'm due for a Verizon upgrade and I am (or was) holding out for the GS3...

 

[CoronaDoug]

Posted on Tech&Trend yesterday:

"...it seems that those who are awaiting the highly anticipated device in the US won't get to experience the quad-core chip as the US version of the device will sport a Qualcomm dual-core instead, an unnamed Samsung executive told The Korea Times.

The executive said that Samsung would release its Galaxy S3 smartphone according to different specifications and different markets. For European consumers, it would use its own quad-core processor with 3G, while its own solution that combines LTE, 3G and quad-core processor will be used for the Korean version. The only exception would be the US version, which would be using Qualcomm chips."

Link to the article:
Samsung Galaxy S3's US Variant To Feature Qualcomm Dual-Core Chips, Not Quad-Core [Report] - International Business Times

If this is true, does this change your mind about the GS3? And if so, what is going to be the next best thing? Curious because I'm due for a Verizon upgrade and I am (or was) holding out for the GS3...

YES! SAME HERE. It does change my mind. The bigger question is.... what is the first quad core to run with LTE? Do we wait a few months or do we get the GS3 and by upgrade time the chips are playing together? Who is the first manufacturer to offer the "next big thing"? The hell if I am going to get a Motorola even though it may be the first. Been there, done that with the POS Droid-X.

 

[brokenrob]

Oy, you feel just the same as me. I also have a Droid X. Google Maps is on an endless search for GPS, the camera not so great (shutter speed is a joke) and I no longer have any call volume whatsoever. I have to use an earpiece to hear the other caller on the line. So sick of this thing, can't wait to upgrade, but I don't know what to...

My needs?
- Great camera for stills/video
- Great battery life
- Great Processor
- and I prefer larger screens (hence my purchase of the DroidX)

 

[Deleted User]

Ya, my DX is getting unreliable. S4 dual (A15) is still faster than a tegra 3 quad right?
If so, I'm good to go with the S3. I won't have bragging rights to say "ooo got a quad core", but to those who care, would probably know that dual A15 is better than 4 A9. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[pearlbrian]

You'll hear it both ways from both camps, which means they're probably close to equal for everyday use. However, the hope was that this would have Samsung's new Exynos quad core which is a decent bit faster than both based on benchmark data.

Honestly, I kind of hope it does have the S4. Makes my decision to buy an unlocked Galaxy Nexus and save my upgrade for the new Nexus that comes out this winter easier.

 

[mdorno]

You'll hear it both ways from both camps, which means they're probably close to equal for everyday use. However, the hope was that this would have Samsung's new Exynos quad core which is a decent bit faster than both based on benchmark data.

Honestly, I kind of hope it does have the S4. Makes my decision to buy an unlocked Galaxy Nexus and save my upgrade for the new Nexus that comes out this winter easier.

I was disappointed when I heard the rumor that we may not get a quad core. I would take the consolation prize of the Qualcomm if it's the S4 pro. Which in my opinion would be better than the Exynos any day.

Bigger question in my book is how much ram we are getting. Anything less than 1.5 gb is piss poor. Everything has gotten bigger and faster inside smartphones except the memory.

 

[darkestred]

What do you guys need a quad-core for? You do realize that while a quadcore is great in most users applications you will not see a difference in what you do.

I know nothing will change your minds its just funny watching people complain about silly things like dual vs quad. I would assume the technology is much like a PC. Quadcore is only as fast as your HDD. So running 4 tasks at once on hardware that can only handle something so fast...i dont' know. Its a phone. Its going to be fast either way.

Unless you're running cold fusion, programming in c, ripping video and encoding movies in full HD...get real.

 

[Orion]

What do you guys need a quad-core for? You do realize that while a quadcore is great in most users applications you will not see a difference in what you do.

I know nothing will change your minds its just funny watching people complain about silly things like dual vs quad. I would assume the technology is much like a PC. Quadcore is only as fast as your HDD. So running 4 tasks at once on hardware that can only handle something so fast...i dont' know. Its a phone. Its going to be fast either way.

Unless you're running cold fusion, programming in c, ripping video and encoding movies in full HD...get real.

For me, this is not about dualcore vs quadcore. This is about Exynos vs Snapdragon. Let's be real, Exynos out performs Snapdragon. Hell, I prefer the dualcore A15 when compared to the Quadcore A9. It's better performance. The S4 is awesome...I understand that. But Samsung is hyping this to be the best phone this summer. There's a chance that the Sprint/Verizon version may still get the Exynos chip based on the fact that in Korea they managed to do it on CDMA/LTE. That last part is just wishful thinking though.

 

[Dabears85Champ]

Does anybody think that if the US variant has a dual core, that it will be Exynos processor 5250 with the A15 Architecture and the better GPU?

 

[someguy43210]

I had a serious reconsideration about getting the Galaxy S3 now that I realized its quad core CPU is still on A9, its the same clock speed as the Note, but 2 more cores.

The Qualcomm S4 is dual core, but is based on the newer A15 and 28nm and higher clock speed, so it'll probably be faster and more efficient than both Tegra3 and Exynos 4. (I care more about CPU speed than GPU).

However, to wait for the American version is probably going to be a long time, I much prefer a carrier free pentaband phone.

So I'm on a dilemma now of getting the Exynos 4 version and regret that later or wait for a Exynos 5 which could be a while. I don't want a phone that is only marginally faster than the GSM Note, which I had. Perhaps some authentic extensive benchmarks will clear up the picture.

I know it will cost $800 so I want my money worth, I'm planning for one good phone and not hop between phones anymore. Maybe if the Nexus gets lowered to $350 I'll just get that and save some money.

Does anybody think that if the US variant has a dual core, that it will be Exynos processor 5250 with the A15 Architecture and the better GPU?

No, I think they want to save the Exynos 5 for more special occasion like their next flag ship device (next Nexus?). They need to use the S4 so it will be LTE compatible for American market. They could put separate chip with an Exynos 4, but that's probably not the plan.

Too bad the market is fixated on the multi-core aspect, that doesn't automatically prevent a phone from potentially suck for practical usage or the fact they will use it as an excuse to bloat the heck out of the phone like never before.

 

[Lock-N-Load]

What do you guys need a quad-core for? You do realize that while a quadcore is great in most users applications you will not see a difference in what you do.

I know nothing will change your minds its just funny watching people complain about silly things like dual vs quad. I would assume the technology is much like a PC. Quadcore is only as fast as your HDD. So running 4 tasks at once on hardware that can only handle something so fast...i dont' know. Its a phone. Its going to be fast either way.

Unless you're running cold fusion, programming in c, ripping video and encoding movies in full HD...get real.

your expounding on and on on the exact WRONG reason as to the real benefits of quad core chips.

The REAL benefit is the benefits to battery power and power management by quad core chips that claim to be 20-30% more power efficient than current single or dual core chips by passing tasks off to either companions cores or spreading the work around and more efficient designs.

stop thinking about quad cores in the most basic level - speed - as though that is the only benefit. it's not even the real main benefit and your assuming to much by thinking that is why everyone who wants them wants them.

 

[someguy43210]

Although after a bit more reading, I admit I panicked a bit. But there are power consumption of the chips to be taken to account too. And the S4 is 28nm vs the 32nm. We will see when the S3 and Meizu MX quadcore is out and gets some benchmark vs the One X.

 

[Ibrick]

There is always the S4 Pro.

Just another option if we're not getting an Exynos chip.

Personally I'd be surprised if Sammy used the base 8960 with the 225 GPU.

I just can't see Sammy dropping the 8960 in their flagship device, in the largest smartphone market in the world. I think the S4 with Adreno 320 would satisfy the US market.

Just speculation and hope on my part. My Thunderbolt is still kicking just fine, but I have an upgrade burning a hole in my tech pocket that I saved for the S3 and don't want to be disappointed.

 

[xtop]

There is always the S4 Pro.

Just another option if we're not getting an Exynos chip.

Personally I'd be surprised if Sammy used the base 8960 with the 225 GPU.

I just can't see Sammy dropping the 8960 in their flagship device, in the largest smartphone market in the world. I think the S4 with Adreno 320 would satisfy the US market.

Just speculation and hope on my part. My Thunderbolt is still kicking just fine, but I have an upgrade burning a hole in my tech pocket that I saved for the S3 and don't want to be disappointed.

the s4 pro won't be in phones until the end of the year

 

[Mr. Ed]

i did confirm this today...just no details on what exact chip will be in there...just that it would be sd dualcore

 

[Tommydaniel]

your expounding on and on on the exact WRONG reason as to the real benefits of quad core chips.

The REAL benefit is the benefits to battery power and power management by quad core chips that claim to be 20-30% more power efficient than current single or dual core chips by passing tasks off to either companions cores or spreading the work around and more efficient designs.

stop thinking about quad cores in the most basic level - speed - as though that is the only benefit. it's not even the real main benefit and your assuming to much by thinking that is why everyone who wants them wants them.

Key word is current, the A15 Krait is not a "current" run of the mill dual core.

This review shows the S4 is as efficient and as powerful as the Tegra 3
AnandTech - The HTC One X for AT&T Review

 

[SeanPlunk]

Probably not the kind of news you were wanting to hear today, but interesting none the least. A user agent string popped up online today which could confirm suspicions that the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy S III (unconfirmed) may not come with Sammy’s quad-core Exynos, instead, opting for Qualcomm’s dual-core S4 processor.
A handset with the model number SCH-I535 showed up in a UA string boasting specs worthy of Samsung’s next flagship, namely a 720p HD display and running on Android 4.0 and a Qualcomm MSM8960 processor. The device also follows Verizon and Samsung’s traditional naming structure, for example, the Galaxy Nexus (SCH-I515) > Droid Charge (SCH-I510 > Galaxy S Fascinate (SCH-I500).

We’ve heard talk before that the US version of the Galaxy S III wouldn’t come with their quad-core Exynos because of our unique combination of LTE and 3G bands and this news only reaffirms that rumor. I wouldn’t classify this as bad news — the S4 has shown in benchmarks and real world speed to be more than a capable chipset — but for those really hoping for a little extra kick out of their GSIII, this may not be received well.

It looks like it just has a run of the mill MSM8960 in it

If that's the case the SG3 is off my radar. It's basically just a One-X with a different screen. Boo.

 

[Sandroidfan]

It looks like it just has a run of the mill MSM8960 in it

If that's the case the SG3 is off my radar. It's basically just a One-X with a different screen. Boo.

Not just different, HD SAMOLED+ might be better than SLCD2 on One X. Also fixed 1800mAh battery in One X is big con for me. If GSIII has better screen, camera, large removable battery plus some other goodies, it's still better choice for me even with the same processor.

 

[Mr. Ed]

Not just different, HD SAMOLED+ might be better than SLCD2 on One X. Also fixed 1800mAh battery in One X is big con for me. If GSIII has better screen, camera, large removable battery plus some other goodies, it's still better choice for me even with the same processor.

It may have no sd slot. ..battery accessability unknown

 

[Lock-N-Load]

Dual core and it appears, in the last 24 hours, proof has popped up to show it running on Verizon's network - hence the 3G+LTE friendly dual core

 

[cbtk18]

Verizon has yet to come out with a phone in the last 2 years that makes me want waste an upgrade. Still running my OG Incredible and while I am eager to get the "next big thing" in the phone-world, nothing has come.

I thought that the S3 would have been it, but alas with a processor downgrade, the waiting continues.....

 

[superbean]

Really wish there was a factual number of how many people are holding onto old phones because and not upgrading because of "this".
And by this i mean, great phones getting a downgrade when comming to the US.
(side note- speed is a byproduct for most of us i think, the battery life is the biggest + for quad cores etc, speed i pretty low on the "why phone XYZ will rock".

Bah, ive stuck to metro with some terribad phone for awhile now, because my droid broke and there just hasnt been ANYTHING since that seemed worthy. Seems like everytime theres some great sounding phone, when it finally hits a US carrier, its either on ATT (which i will NEVER be on again, terrible ass network here in Jacksonville) AND nerfed, or just nerfed.

Quadcore != dualcore

 

[xtop]

Really wish there was a factual number of how many people are holding onto old phones because and not upgrading because of "this".
And by this i mean, great phones getting a downgrade when comming to the US.
(side note- speed is a byproduct for most of us i think, the battery life is the biggest + for quad cores etc, speed i pretty low on the "why phone XYZ will rock".

Bah, ive stuck to metro with some terribad phone for awhile now, because my droid broke and there just hasnt been ANYTHING since that seemed worthy. Seems like everytime theres some great sounding phone, when it finally hits a US carrier, its either on ATT (which i will NEVER be on again, terrible ass network here in Jacksonville) AND nerfed, or just nerfed.

Quadcore != dualcore

if benchmarks weren't there to tell you, i would pretty much guarantee you couldn't tell the difference between the quad a9's and dual s4

 

[jerofld]

I was curious about why the US has to get a downgrade in processors, and the reason was because LTE. So I started to look into it, and the European carriers' LTE coverage is no where near Verizon's coverage. Even AT&T looks good in comparison. Assuming Sprint meets their goals with their Network Vision, the 4G coverage in the US will be much stronger and a much more of a competition aspect than in Europe, so the international versions of phones can lack LTE support and not suffer.

If given the choice between a dual-core LTE device and a quad-core 3G only device, and everything else is equal, I'd be willing to bet that the average American would choose the DC LTE device over the quad core by a significant margin. I would also bet that if the GS3 were to sell without the LTE and have a quadcore against the HOX, and they were released on the same day, the HOX would win out, easily. Americans are coming to expect 4G service. If 4G was not that important, Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T would not be tripping over themselves trying to build out their LTE networks.

At least that's how I see it from my computer room

 

[pearlbrian]

I was curious about why the US has to get a downgrade in processors, and the reason was because LTE. So I started to look into it, and the European carriers' LTE coverage is no where near Verizon's coverage. Even AT&T looks good in comparison. Assuming Sprint meets their goals with their Network Vision, the 4G coverage in the US will be much stronger and a much more of a competition aspect than in Europe, so the international versions of phones can lack LTE support and not suffer.

If given the choice between a dual-core LTE device and a quad-core 3G only device, and everything else is equal, I'd be willing to bet that the average American would choose the DC LTE device over the quad core by a significant margin. I would also bet that if the GS3 were to sell without the LTE and have a quadcore against the HOX, and they were released on the same day, the HOX would win out, easily. Americans are coming to expect 4G service. If 4G was not that important, Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T would not be tripping over themselves trying to build out their LTE networks.

At least that's how I see it from my computer room

Fair observation. The problem is since the phone will almost certainly have the same processor as the One X in the US, and it appears it has a less impressive display, that now the One X has a huge advantage already being out. In fact, i ordered mine today after waiting 6 months for the SGS 3