The official specifications for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 unveiled that its single Cortex-X4 core could reach a maximum clock speed of 3.30GHz. However, Qualcomm has partnered with Samsung for an exclusive ‘Snapdragon 8 Gen for Galaxy,’ where the SoC is clocked slightly higher than the default configuration. According to the latest rumors, two versions of this chipset are undergoing testing, and the variant you receive depends entirely on your geographical location.
More About Qualcomm Developing Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
While not all regions will experience the same Galaxy S24 Ultra, it is confirmed that Samsung’s flagship will exclusively feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, with no plans for the inclusion of the Exynos 2400 in the current or future lineup. Despite carrying the ‘for Galaxy’ branding, @TheGalox_alt mentions on X that there are two versions of the ‘Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy.’ The first version’s Cortex-X4 operates at a 3.30GHz clock speed, identical to the regular variant.
In contrast, the overclocked version boasts a slight improvement, with its Cortex-X4 running at 3.40GHz. These two ‘Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy’ versions are designated for sale in three markets: B, N, and U. For clarification, ‘U’ signifies the U.S. market, and ‘N’ represents Samsung’s home market, Korea. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy found in the Galaxy S24 Ultra shipped to these two markets will feature a 3.30GHz Cortex-X4.
Concerning market ‘B,’ specific regions were not specified, suggesting that the Galaxy S24 Ultra with a slightly overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will likely be distributed to the rest of the world. Despite the surprising decision to offer the slower Galaxy S24 Ultra to two major markets, a 100MHz difference is relatively inconsequential in real-world scenarios.
Additionally, the higher-clocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy may face potential thermal challenges, and depending on the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s vapor chamber capabilities, it could experience throttling due to uncontrollable temperatures.
From a supply chain perspective, Samsung‘s approach to this launch appears convoluted. A streamlined decision to equip all Galaxy S24 Ultra models with the overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy would be ideal, but ultimately, the decision lies with Samsung.
