Samsung Exynos 1680

Samsung Exynos 1680: Overview of a Balanced SoC for Mid-range Smartphones

Samsung Exynos 1680 is a mobile system-on-chip for mid-range and upper mid-range smartphones. It does not aim to replace flagship Snapdragon, Apple A-series, or top-end Dimensity chips, but it significantly enhances the segment where users value smooth interface operation, good camera capabilities, stable multitasking, modern connectivity, and artificial intelligence features.

Essentially, the Exynos 1680 is an evolution of the Exynos 1580. Samsung has retained the 4nm EUV process node, changed the configuration of the processor cores, updated the graphics, enhanced the NPU, and added more modern capabilities for connectivity and image processing. Thus, this chip is interesting not only as another update for the Galaxy A series but also as an example of what modern mid-range smartphones are becoming.

CPU Architecture: More Performance Cores

The Exynos 1680 employs an octa-core configuration of 1+4+3:

The main change compared to the Exynos 1580 is not merely a slight frequency increase, but rather a redesigned core distribution logic. The Exynos 1680 features five performance-centric Cortex-A720 cores instead of four. Samsung has effectively replaced one small core with a more powerful mid-core to enhance performance in real-world multithreaded scenarios.

For the user, this is more significant than it might seem from the dry specifications table. A smartphone powered by the Exynos 1680 should switch between applications faster, maintain multiple active tasks more reliably, and work more confidently with the camera, browser, messaging apps, navigation, and background services. This headroom is especially useful for devices that are purchased for several years; new versions of Android and One UI tend to become heavier over time, and additional performance cores help to maintain a comfortable speed.

Graphics Xclipse 550: A Good Level for Mid-range

The graphics are handled by the Samsung Xclipse 550. This is an integrated GPU based on AMD RDNA architecture, featuring 2 WGP and 2 RB. Compared to the Xclipse 540 in the Exynos 1580, the new graphics provide an approximately 16% increase in performance and are better suited for gaming, high-refresh-rate interfaces, and multimedia tasks.

In practice, the Exynos 1680 can be regarded as a good chip for popular mobile games such as PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, Asphalt, Mobile Legends, and similar projects. In such games, smartphones using this SoC should perform confidently, particularly with reasonable graphics settings.

In more demanding games like Genshin Impact, Wuthering Waves, and similar titles, one should not expect flagship-level performance. The Exynos 1680 can run such games, but the optimal scenario involves medium or mixed settings rather than maximum graphics at high frame rates.

It’s important to remember that final gaming performance depends not only on the SoC. Factors like the phone's casing, cooling system, firmware, manufacturer's settings, RAM capacity, and ambient temperature affect FPS, heating, and throttling. The same Exynos 1680 could behave differently in various devices and configurations.

NPU Up to 19.6 TOPS: Why Does a Smartphone Need a Dedicated AI Block?

One of the main features of the Exynos 1680 is the enhanced NPU with performance up to 19.6 TOPS. In comparison, the Exynos 1580 was rated for up to 14.7 TOPS. Thus, Samsung has significantly increased the computational capabilities for local artificial intelligence.

The NPU is not just for a flashy "AI" label in the specifications but serves specific tasks that smartphones can perform faster and more efficiently:

However, a powerful NPU does not guarantee the same set of AI functions across all smartphones. The hardware is present, but the final functionalities depend on the specific model, region, One UI version, and Samsung's update policy.

Camera: Support for Up to 200 MP and Emphasis on Processing

The Exynos 1680 supports cameras with resolutions up to 200 MP. This does not mean that every smartphone on this chip will feature such a sensor, but the platform is designed to work with high-resolution cameras. Samsung also emphasizes improved image processing, enhanced detail, more accurate performance in low-light conditions, and AI processing for photos and videos.

For the actual photo quality, it's not only the megapixel count that matters. The sensor, optics, ISP, processing algorithms, and firmware play significant roles. Modern smartphones rarely take a single "raw" shot. They combine multiple frames, extract details from shadows and highlights, combat noise, and adjust color, exposure, and sharpness.

This is where the Exynos 1680 can be particularly advantageous. The combination of ISP and NPU assists in low-light photography, portraits, HDR, selfie processing, social media video production, and automatic image enhancement. However, the final outcome will still depend on the specific smartphone. A good chip won’t compensate for weak optics or poorly calibrated cameras.

Memory, Storage, and Speed Experience

For the Exynos 1680 platform, support for LPDDR5X and UFS 4.1 is indicated. This is an important upgrade, as a smartphone's speed is influenced not only by the processor cores. Fast RAM and storage contribute to app launches, game installations, gallery access, photo processing, video editing, and task switching.

However, specific capabilities depend on the device. The smartphone manufacturer chooses the RAM size, the type and size of storage, and firmware settings. Therefore, when purchasing, it's essential to look not only at the SoC name but also at the complete configuration of the specific model.

A version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage will suit general usage, but if the smartphone is bought for several years, it's more practical to consider 256 GB. Higher configurations with larger RAM will be more reliable for active multitasking, gaming, and photo and video work, if available in the specific region.

Connectivity, Display, and Interfaces

The Exynos 1680 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, modern satellite navigation systems, and Full HD+ displays with refresh rates up to 144 Hz.

Wi-Fi 6E is especially beneficial in environments with routers supporting the 6 GHz band. Under such conditions, a more stable connection, lower latency, and reduced interference can be achieved compared to crowded 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.

Among the limitations, it’s worth noting USB 2.0. This is not critical for most users: charging, synchronization, and regular file transfers will work normally. However, if copying large video files frequently via cable, speeds will be slower than on smartphones with USB 3.x.

Exynos 1680 vs. Exynos 1580

The Exynos 1680 may not appear as a revolution but rather as a careful enhancement of the Exynos 1580. Samsung has added more performance cores, updated the graphics, significantly improved the NPU, and introduced Wi-Fi 6E. In daily use, this should result in more stable multitasking, better AI function processing, and a slight cushion for the future.

Who Does Exynos 1680 Compete With?

The Exynos 1680 should be regarded as a competitor to modern upper mid-range SoCs. Its direct rivals can be considered the fresh Snapdragon 7 series and Dimensity 8000 series.

The primary advantage of the Exynos 1680 is its close integration with the Samsung ecosystem. For the Galaxy A series, this might be more critical than simple benchmark comparisons: the manufacturer controls the chip, interface, camera, updates, and AI functions. If Samsung optimizes the firmware and cooling effectively, the Exynos 1680 may form a successful foundation for a mass-market smartphone.

Smartphones Featuring Samsung Exynos 1680

At the time of publication, the flagship device powered by the Exynos 1680 is the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G. This is the model through which most users will evaluate the chip's capabilities in real-world conditions.

It's essential not to confuse the SoC itself with the configurations of a specific smartphone. The Exynos 1680 is responsible for the computational platform, graphics, NPU, connectivity, and image processing, but the RAM and storage capacity depend on the version of the Galaxy A57 5G and the sales region.

If purchasing a smartphone for several years, a version with 256 GB of storage appears to be a more reasonable minimum. 128 GB will suffice for basic tasks, but with active photo and video shooting, game installations, and media storage, free space will be consumed more quickly.

What Tasks is Exynos 1680 Best Suited For?

Disadvantages and Limitations

These downsides do not make the Exynos 1680 a weak chip. They merely illustrate its real class. It’s not a processor aimed at maximum FPS at all costs, but a balanced platform for Samsung’s mass-market smartphones.

Should You Choose a Smartphone with Exynos 1680?

A smartphone powered by the Exynos 1680 is worth considering if you need a balanced mid-range device with good speed, modern connectivity, quality photo processing, and AI features support. It is a suitable option for those who use their smartphone actively every day: taking photos, watching videos, communicating, working with documents, navigating, using social media, and occasionally gaming.

It is preferable to select a version with at least 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, if such configurations are available in your region. The 8/128 GB option will work for a less demanding user, but it has less memory headroom. If the smartphone is intended for several years, a higher version with more storage will be more practical for new Android versions, One UI, heavy applications, and active multitasking.

Avoid choosing Exynos 1680 if your primary goal is maximum FPS in demanding games. For that scenario, it's better to look at smartphones featuring flagship Snapdragon, Apple A-series, or top-end Dimensity chips. The Exynos 1680 excels within its class, but it is not a gaming flagship.

Conclusion

The Samsung Exynos 1680 is a noticeable upgrade for the mid-range segment. It features a stronger CPU configuration of 1+4+3, five performance Cortex-A720 cores, Xclipse 550 graphics, NPU performance of up to 19.6 TOPS, support for cameras up to 200 MP, Wi-Fi 6E, and a more modern platform for local AI functions.

The main value of the Exynos 1680 lies in its balance. It does not turn a smartphone into a flagship, but it provides enough power for comfortable daily tasks, multitasking, photos, videos, AI functions, and gaming at reasonable settings. In the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G, this chip appears to be a logical choice: not record-breaking in absolute performance, but well-suited for a mass-market smartphone that should remain fast, modern, and relevant for several years.