Samsung unveils 1.5GHz dual-core Exynos 4212 chip for smartphones and tablets

Samsung has unveiled its latest in-house processor that will be used in forthcoming smartphones and tablets, boasting significant processing power and 3D graphics improvements.

The Exynos 4212 dual-core processor is based on the Cortex A9 chip, and has an out-of-the-box clock speed of 1.5GHz. The processor also boosts 3D graphics performance by 50 per cent over the current chip, the company said at the Samsung Mobile Solutions Forum in Taipei.

Samsung uses a 32nm low-power High-K Metal Gate manufacturing process, making the chip 30 per cent more efficient than the previous generation, the firm said.

The Galaxy S II smartphone ships with a 1.2GHz dual-core Exynos 4210 processor which can be overclocked to 1.5GHz, so it will be interesting to see just how fast the Exynos 4212 can go.

The Exynos 4212 also supports HD images, video recording and playback at 1080p, and Samsung has included a built-in, on-chip HDMI 1.4 interface.

Additionally, Samsung has unveiled a 16-megapixel CMOS image sensor with backside illumination technology for improved image capture in low light conditions.

The S5K2P1 is designed for use in high-end smartphones, digital cameras and camcorders.

The sensor supports the 16:9 video format natively, and provides a 16-megapixel resolution when shooting at 30 frames per second and up to 8.3-megapixel resolution at 60 frames per second, the firm said.

Samsung expects to start mass production of the sensor in November, and will provide samples of the Exynos 4212 chips to customers in the fourth quarter.