Samsung’s flagship Exynos processors have relied on Xclipse GPUs, co-developed with AMD. These GPUs boasted AMD’s RDNA graphics architecture for potentially better ray tracing. However, rumors suggest a shift.
Tipster @rquandt hinted in May that Samsung might end the AMD partnership after 2025, potentially equipping future flagship SoCs (System-on-a-Chip) with a homegrown GPU. This aligns with a recent report from Korean platform Naver.Reporter Jinsol Lee suggests Samsung’s management committee is considering a GPU investment.
This is a notable change. Samsung’s past investment focus has been on memory chips and foundry businesses. Public records show this as the first time Samsung has considered GPU investment at the management committee level since 2012.
While the committee reviewed memory and foundry investments, AI chip and advanced packaging developments were also mentioned. A competitive, in-house GPU could give Samsung greater control over its products and potentially reduce costs.
Despite this shift, the upcoming Exynos 2500 is expected to retain the RDNA-based Xclips 950 GPU. However, rumors also suggest Samsung might skip the Exynos 2500 altogether in the Galaxy S25 series. With months until launch, more details will likely emerge.