The first half of the test focuses on CPU performance, and the Samsung’s chip managed to edge out the Qualcomm processor throughout. Given both have similar architecture and the Exynos has a slightly higher clock speed, this might have been expected.
Things changed when the mixed test came around, which utilizes both CPU and GPU. The Snapdragon 888 powered through a smoke particle test not only quicker but with a higher overall frame rate than the Exynos 2100. It wasn’t until the GPU test when things took a hard turn towards Qualcomm. The Galaxy S21 Ultra with the Exynos chip showed major hiccups throughout the first Unity test and slower performance in the Unreal Engine test.
As a result, the Galaxy S21 Ultra with the Qualcomm 888 performed better overall, at least when it came to mixed-use and GPU performance. The Exynos still managed to hold its own in the CPU test, and overall did pretty well when stacked up against the latest and greatest from Qualcomm.
The Galaxy S21 series will be available on January 29th. The U.S. and a select few other regions will get the Qualcomm chip, which is set to power many of this year’s best Android phones, while most international versions of the Galaxy S21 will have the Exynos chip.
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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review: Fixed focus
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