Samsung Exynos 8895
Samsung Exynos 8895: An Overview of an Obsolete Flagship and Its Place in 2025
April 2025
Introduction
The Samsung Exynos 8895 was the leading processor in 2017 for premium smartphones. Eight years later, it has become a symbol of the evolution of mobile technology: once powerful, it is now used in budget devices. In this article, we will examine how the Exynos 8895 performs in 2025, what tasks it can handle, and who should take notice of it.
Architecture and Process Technology: A Legacy of the Past
The Exynos 8895 is built on a 10nm process technology (Samsung LPE), which was groundbreaking in 2017. Today, even budget chips are manufactured using 6–7nm technology, while flagship chips utilize 3–4nm. This affects energy efficiency and heat dissipation.
CPU: Hybrid Architecture
- 8 cores following the big.LITTLE scheme:
- 4 high-performance cores Mongoose M2 clocked at 2.31 GHz;
- 4 energy-efficient cores Cortex-A53 (1.69 GHz).
- L2 cache — 2 MB (only for M2).
This configuration provided smooth Android operation and multitasking, but by 2025, it lags behind even mid-range chips (such as Snapdragon 7 Gen 3), where all cores are based on ARMv9.
GPU: Mali-G71 MP20
The GPU with 20 cores supported Vulkan and OpenGL ES 3.2. In 2017, it handled games like PUBG Mobile on medium settings, but today it struggles to run Genshin Impact even at the lowest settings. In comparison, the Mali-G715 (found in chips from 2025) offers 3–4 times higher performance.
Performance in Real-World Tasks: What Can the Exynos 8895 Do in 2025?
Gaming
- Light projects: Among Us, Clash Royale, Candy Crush — no problems.
- Medium load: Mobile Legends, COD Mobile — frame drops to 30 FPS possible on low settings.
- Heavy games: Honkai: Star Rail, Wuthering Waves — not recommended.
Multimedia
- Video: 4K@60fps streaming (with H.265 support).
- Audio: The chipset supports 32-bit/384 kHz audio, which is relevant for audiophile smartphones.
AI Tasks
The Exynos 8895 lacks an NPU (Neural Processing Unit), which means AI functions (like photo enhancement or voice assistants) are processed by the CPU/GPU, leading to increased latency. It's sufficient for basic processing (auto-correction of shots), but real-time neural filters are off the table.
Power Consumption and Heating
- TDP 5W — a modest figure even for 2025.
- In smartphones with a 4000mAh battery, the chip provides 5–6 hours of screen time (web surfing, social networks).
- Under load (gaming, video recording), overheating is possible, especially in cases without heat dissipation.
Integrated Modules: Outdated Connectivity
- Modem: Supports LTE Cat. 16 (speeds up to 1 Gbps), but lacks 5G. In the era of dominating 5G networks, this is a significant drawback.
- Wi-Fi: Only 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), max speed of 866 Mbps. This is sufficient for 4K streaming, but new standards like Wi-Fi 7 are unavailable.
- Bluetooth: Version 5.0 — compatible with most accessories, but lacks advanced features like LE Audio.
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou — the standard set for its time.
Comparison with Competitors
2017 Generation
- Snapdragon 835: Similar performance, but the Adreno 540 (GPU) is better optimized for gaming.
- Apple A11 Bionic: Significantly outperforms Exynos 8895 in single-threaded workloads (Geekbench 6: ~550 vs 422).
Modern Chips (2025)
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 3: Offers 2x higher results in AnTuTu (700k+), supports 5G, includes an AI accelerator.
- MediaTek Dimensity 8300: Better energy efficiency (4nm), gaming GPU Mali-G615.
Today, the Exynos 8895 competes with budget chips like the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 or Helio G99, but falls short in supporting new technologies (5G, Wi-Fi 6E).
Use Cases: Who Is This Chip Relevant For?
1. Entry-Level Gaming: Suitable for casual games or retro console emulators (PSP, Nintendo DS).
2. Everyday Tasks: Social media, messaging, web browsing — all functions without lags.
3. Photo and Video: Quality depends on the camera sensor. The chip can handle 4K@30fps video recording, but stabilization and HDR require software optimization.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low-cost devices ($150–200);
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks;
- Energy efficiency (compared to older counterparts).
Cons:
- No support for 5G or Wi-Fi 6;
- Weak GPU for modern games;
- Lack of NPU for AI tasks.
Practical Tips: What to Look for When Buying?
1. OS Relevance: Devices with Exynos 8895 may not receive Android updates beyond version 12–13.
2. Cooling: Choose models with copper pipes or graphite coatings.
3. Battery: At least 4000mAh for comfortable use.
4. Target Devices: Budget smartphones (Samsung A series 2023–2024), refurbished flagships (Galaxy S8, Note 8).
Final Conclusion: Who Is the Exynos 8895 Suitable For?
This processor is a choice for:
- Budget users who don't need 5G and high-end gaming;
- Secondary devices as a backup gadget;
- Enthusiasts who value retro flagships.
Key Benefits: Low price, proven reliability, adequate performance for basic needs. However, if you plan to use a smartphone for 3–4 years, it is better to choose a model with a modern chip (such as Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 or Dimensity 7050).
Conclusion
The Exynos 8895 is an example of how quickly technology can become outdated. Yet, even in 2025, it finds its niche, proving that "old" does not always mean "bad." For less demanding users, it offers a chance to save money without serious compromises.