Next Samsung flagship processor to have dedicated neural processing unit

The next Samsung flagship processor is likely going to be unveiled in the coming months. It will power the company's upcoming flagship handsets like the Galaxy S10. A new report out of China claims that Samsung's second-generation neural processing unit or NPU will be onboard its next flagship Exynos chip.

A neural processing unit will allow for more powerful artificial intelligence and machine learning applications on the device. It will handle AI-related tasks on the device itself without burdening the main processor.

Next Samsung flagship processor

A China-based leakster has come across a purported LinkedIn profile of an ex-Samsung Senior Hardware Design Engineer. The profile mentions his work on Samsung's second generation NPU design. The authenticity of this profile hasn't been independently verified. It's not that difficult to fabricate something like this after all.

Samsung already has a first generation NPU but it hasn't been using it. Its rivals like Huawei are already shipping devices with SoCs that have dedicated NPUs. It's about time that Samsung did the same. Huawei's upcoming Mate 20 series with its flagship Kirin 980 processor features a dedicated NPU as well.

No information is available about the specs of this chip as yet. Samsung can't be expected to reveal anything about it until it makes an official announcement. If history is any indication that will likely happen before the end of this year.

The Galaxy S10 will be the first handset to ship with this processor. The Galaxy Note handset due next year will ship with it as well.

Adnan Farooqui - Executive Editor

[email protected]

First Samsung device: SGH-E900

Adnan Farooqui is a long-term writer at SamMobile. Based in Pakistan, his interests include technology, finance, Swiss watches and Formula 1. His tendency to write long posts betrays his inclination to being a man of few words.

Phone Exynos