Looks like Samsung wants to have the best of both worlds. If you recall, Samsung’s in-house developed Hummingbird used a PowerVR GPU and the recent Exynos 4210 uses ARM’s Mali-400. Now Imagination Technologies, makers of PowerVR has announced that the Korean giant has signed a deal with the company to license PowerVR SGX MP’s IP. There are no details whatsoever apart from the fact that Samsung will use it “in multiple SoCs targeting mobile and consumer markets.”
As AnandTech points out, GPU from the SGX MP range is also used in Apple’s A5 SoC.
Interestingly, ARM announced a superior Mali-T658 GPU that is supported by “lead partners” like Samsung.
As for licensing different GPUs, I think this Mali GPU may find its way into the new Exynos chip, which Samsung already confirmed to be using big.LITTLE processing technology whereas the PowerVR could be used for clients’ SoCs.
Of course, its a speculation and we’ll know when Samsung comes out with a new SoC next year.
Considering the Mali-T658 should be available in 2013 according to ARM, they needed something for their next generation in the meantime. The new Mali as well as big.LITTLE should come in the next next generation chip. (That Galaxy S IV is going to be a beast, and make a nice replacement for my GS2)
thx for the info.