Samsung Exynos 9810
Samsung Exynos 9810: Review of an Outdated Yet Still Relevant Processor for Budget Smartphones
April 2025
Introduction
The Samsung Exynos 9810, released in 2018, marked a significant milestone in the development of mobile SoCs. Although it lags behind modern chips in terms of technology today, it can still be found in budget and mid-range smartphones from 2023-2024, which remain on the market due to their low price (around $150-250). In this article, we will explore what the Exynos 9810 is capable of in 2025, who it is suitable for, and what compromises one must accept.
Architecture and Process Technology: An Outdated Base with Potential
The Exynos 9810 is built on a 10nm process technology (FinFET LPP), which is considered archaic by 2025 standards compared to the 4-5nm chips from competitors. This affects energy efficiency, but with proper optimization, the chip demonstrates acceptable performance.
CPU:
- 8 cores with a hybrid architecture:
- 4 high-performance Exynos M3 cores clocked at 2.9 GHz (L2 cache — 2 MB);
- 4 energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores (1.9 GHz).
This configuration provides a balance between speed and battery life, but it falls short of modern solutions with Cortex-X/A7xx cores. For instance, in Geekbench 6, the chip scores 563 points (single-core) and 1847 (multi-core), comparable to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G but with higher power consumption.
GPU:
- Mali-G72 MP18 — an 18-core graphics unit, which by 2025 is only suitable for less demanding games like Among Us or Brawl Stars at medium settings. Modern titles (Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail) will run at low FPS with frequent drops.
Real-World Performance: Moderate Capabilities
Gaming:
- Mali-G72 MP18 does not support ray tracing and is limited to OpenGL ES 3.2/Vulkan 1.0 API. For comfortable gaming, it is advisable to choose games from 2018-2020. For example:
- PUBG Mobile: medium settings, 30 FPS;
- Call of Duty: Mobile: low settings, 40-45 FPS.
Multimedia:
- The chip decodes video at 4K@60 FPS (H.265/HEVC) and supports HDR10. This allows for high-quality movie watching, but video recording is limited to 4K@30 FPS.
- Devices with Exynos 9810 often feature AMOLED displays, enhancing content perception.
AI Applications:
- The integrated NPU (neural processing unit) of the first generation is poorly adapted for modern tasks. Scene recognition in cameras or voice assistants work, but real-time processing (for example, photo stylization via neural networks) takes 2-3 seconds.
Power Consumption and Heating:
- A TDP of 5W is a modest figure, but due to the 10nm process technology, the chip heats up under load. In smartphones without liquid cooling systems, throttling (frequency reduction) may occur after 15-20 minutes of gaming.
- Battery life varies depending on battery capacity. For example, in the Galaxy S9 (3000 mAh), the screen-on time was about 4-5 hours; in modern devices with a 5000 mAh battery, it can last up to 7-8 hours.
Integrated Modules: Lack of 5G and Basic Standards
- Modem: Integrated LTE Cat.18 (1.2 Gbps) without 5G support. In 2025, this is a drawback, as even budget chips (like Dimensity 700) offer 5G connectivity.
- Wi-Fi/Bluetooth:
- Wi-Fi 6 is not supported — maximum is Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) at 2.4/5 GHz;
- Bluetooth 5.0 (modern versions — 5.3).
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo. Positioning accuracy is at a mid-range level.
Comparison with Competitors: A Generational Battle
The Exynos 9810 falls short against modern chips but competes with processors from 2018-2020:
1. Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (2018):
- Similar results in Geekbench 6 (Single-Core: ~500, Multi-Core: ~1900);
- Adreno 630 vs Mali-G72 MP18: Snapdragon is better optimized for games.
2. Apple A11 Bionic (2017):
- Higher performance in Single-Core (~900 points in Geekbench 6), but weaker in Multi-Core (~2200).
3. Modern Analogues (2025):
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm, 5G, Mali-G57 MC2) — 30% more energy-efficient;
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 (4nm, Adreno 613) — double the gaming performance.
Usage Scenarios: Who is the Exynos 9810 Suitable For?
1. Gaming: Suitable only for casual games. AAA titles will require lowered settings.
2. Everyday Tasks: Social media, browsing, office applications — the processor handles these without lag.
3. Photo and Video:
- Supports cameras up to 22 MP (single) or 16+16 MP (dual);
- Records 4K@30 FPS with EIS (electronic image stabilization);
- HDR photos — quality depends on the sensor, but detail lags behind modern ISPs.
Pros and Cons: What Weighs Heavier?
Pros:
- Low device cost ($150-250);
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks;
- Support for 4K content.
Cons:
- Lack of 5G;
- Heating under load;
- Weak NPU for AI tasks.
Practical Tips: What to Look for When Buying?
1. Cooling System: Choose models with copper pipes or graphite coatings.
2. RAM: Minimum of 4GB (better 6GB for multitasking).
3. Battery: At least 4500 mAh for comfortable operation.
4. OS Updates: Check if the device will receive Android 15/16.
Examples of 2025 Smartphones with Exynos 9810:
- Samsung Galaxy A35 (2024) — $199;
- Realme C55 Pro — $179;
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12E — $169.
Final Conclusion: Who is the Exynos 9810 Suitable For?
This processor is an option for those who:
- Look for the cheapest smartphone with basic functionality;
- Do not plan to use 5G or resource-intensive applications;
- Value the Samsung brand but are not willing to pay for flagships.
Key Benefits:
- Savings of $200-300 compared to new models;
- Reliability of a proven platform;
- Support for basic communication standards and multimedia.
The Exynos 9810 is not perfect, but it remains a workhorse for less demanding users. If your needs are limited to calls, messaging, and occasional gaming — it will be a reasonable compromise. For other cases, it’s better to consider devices based on Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 or Dimensity 7000 series.