A new benchmark test reveals that the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone may run a more powerful Exynos 5 eight-core processor, after rumors said it could be downgraded to a Qualcomm Snapdragon.
"It looks like the Galaxy S IV features an Exynos Octa 5410 CPU clocked at 1.8GHz, PowerVR SGX 544MP GPU, 2GB of RAM, 4.99″ Full HD (1920×1080) display and a 13 Megapixel Camera," writes SamMobile. "The device also runs Android 4.2 out of the box."
Previous rumors said Samsung was having power issues with its in-house Exynos processor, causing the company to switch to the more traditional Snapdragon. Later rumors said that Samsung would offer two versions of the Galaxy S IV, as it did for the Galaxy S III -- one with the Exynos processor for the European market, and one with the Snapdragon processor for the American market.
This new benchmark seems to indicate a single version worldwide, good news for Americans who thought they might be saddled with the Snapdragon.
"The most interesting thing is that the device supports GSM/WCDMA/LTE networks with an Exynos processor on-board. So that means there will be only a one single variant of the device, the GT-I9500," says SamMobile. "Previously, Samsung used to release two variants of their high-end devices, for example the GT-I9300 and GT-I9305. One variant used to have GSM connectivity and the other one had LTE connectivity but this is not the case with the Galaxy S IV. The Galaxy S IV will be a world phone."
Of course, this is the third rumor about the Galaxy S IV processor in two weeks, but it's the first one backed up by what looks like real data. Definite specs won't be available until Samsung's huge launch event scheduled for Mar. 14 in New York, with a public live stream in Times Square. But according to the AnTuTu test, this is what you can expect:
* 4.99-inch display with 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution
* 1.8GHz eight-core Exynos 5 Octa CPU
* 2GB of RAM
* PowerVR SGX 544MP GPU
* 16/32GB of storage
* 13-megapixel camera with LED flash and HD video recording
* 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera
* Wi-Fi
* Bluetooth 4.0
* NFC
* GPS, A-GPS
* LTE support
* Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
In addition, Android Authority says a Russian source has said the Galaxy S IV will be made out of plastic, just like the S III. If true, the S IV could look flimsy next to some of the metal and glass phones being released this year.
Check back for the latest updates as they become available.