Is Samsung Bringing Back Custom CPU Cores for Exynos Chips?

Samsung may revive custom CPU cores for future Exynos chips. Here’s what the new development means.

Samsung’s Exynos processors may be heading toward one of their biggest transformations in years. After relying on ARM’s standard CPU cores since 2019, new internal developments strongly suggest that Samsung is preparing to bring back custom CPU cores for future Exynos chipsets. 

This marks a major strategic shift and could redefine Samsung’s position in the mobile silicon race.

Why Samsung Stopped Making Custom CPU Cores

Samsung previously developed its own custom CPU architecture known as Mongoose. While powerful on paper, the cores faced several issues: 

• High power consumption
• Thermal inefficiency
• Difficulty competing with Apple’s custom silicon
• Performance inconsistencies in real world use 

 Due to these challenges, Samsung dissolved its custom CPU team in 2019 and switched entirely to ARM Cortex cores for all Exynos processors.

Why Samsung Is Restarting Custom CPU Development

The mobile chip industry has changed dramatically. Apple’s custom CPUs dominate performance charts, and Qualcomm is now moving toward its own custom Oryon cores. Samsung clearly wants to regain control and reduce dependency on ARM.

 

Recent internal restructuring shows that Samsung has: 

• Formed a new Custom CPU Development Team inside its System LSI division
• Begun long term planning for next generation CPU architecture
• Started recruiting engineers with CPU design expertise 

This signals a serious commitment to rebuilding custom CPU capabilities from the ground up.

What This Means for Future Exynos Chips 

Custom CPU development is a long process, often taking several years. Based on industry expectations:

 

• The first Samsung‑designed CPU cores may appear after 2027
• Early prototypes could be tested internally much sooner
• Future Exynos chips may use a hybrid mix of custom and ARM cores
• Samsung aims to create a Galaxy‑exclusive SoC, similar to Apple’s approach 

In the meantime, Samsung will continue improving ARM‑based Exynos chips like the Exynos 2400 and upcoming Exynos 2500.

Potential Benefits of Custom CPU Cores

If Samsung succeeds, custom CPU cores could bring major improvements:

• Better sustained performance
• Higher efficiency and longer battery life
• Reduced throttling during gaming and AI tasks
• Tighter hardware software optimization
• Less reliance on ARM’s roadmap 

This would give Samsung more control over the performance identity of its flagship Galaxy devices. 

Challenges Samsung Must Overcome

Rebuilding a custom CPU program is not easy. Samsung must address:

• High R&D investment
• Recruiting top CPU architects
• Matching Apple’s decade long lead
• Avoiding past thermal and efficiency issues 

However, Samsung’s renewed focus shows a clear ambition to compete at the highest level of mobile silicon design.

Final Thoughts

Samsung’s move to revive custom CPU development is one of the most significant changes in the Exynos roadmap in years. While it will take time before these custom cores appear in commercial devices, the decision signals Samsung’s determination to innovate beyond ARM and build a truly unique Galaxy experience.

If successful, this could mark the beginning of a new era for Exynos  one where Samsung once again designs its own CPU architecture from scratch.