Samsung Exynos 9820
Samsung Exynos 9820: Review of an Outdated, Yet Still Relevant Processor in 2025
(April 2025)
In 2019, Samsung introduced the Exynos 9820, the flagship chip for the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 series smartphones. Six years later, this SoC is no longer in the top-tier segment but remains an interesting option for budget devices and the secondary market. Let’s take a closer look at how the Exynos 9820 stands in 2025, who it's suitable for, and what to pay attention to when choosing a smartphone based on it.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: Three Clusters and 8 nm Nuances
The Exynos 9820 was one of the first Samsung processors with a tri-cluster architecture:
- 2 custom Samsung M4 cores with a frequency of up to 2.73 GHz for resource-intensive tasks.
- 2 Cortex-A75 cores (2.4 GHz) for intermediate load.
- 4 energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores (1.95 GHz) for background processes.
Mali-G76 MP12 GPU with 12 cores provided high graphical performance for its time, but by 2025, it significantly lags behind modern solutions like Adreno 740 or Mali-G715.
The 8 nm process technology (8LPP) allowed for reduced power consumption compared to the Exynos 9810 (10 nm), but by 2025, this is already outdated. For comparison, modern processors (e.g., Snapdragon 8 Gen 4) use a 3 nm process, radically improving efficiency.
2. Performance: Gaming, AI, and Heat Generation
Synthetic benchmarks (Geekbench 6, AnTuTu 10):
- Single-Core: 747 — a low score for 2025 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: ~2300).
- Multi-Core: 2333 — sufficient for basic tasks but not for heavy applications.
- AnTuTu 10: 661,858 — comparable to budget devices from 2023–2024.
Gaming:
- Back then: In 2019–2020, the Mali-G76 MP12 handled PUBG Mobile on medium settings (60 FPS) and Genshin Impact on low.
- Now: In 2025, most new games (e.g., Honkai: Star Rail, GTA Mobile) require the graphics to be set to minimal or won’t even launch.
Power Consumption and Heat Generation:
TDP of 9W — a high figure even for 8 nm. Without quality cooling (copper pipes, thermal paste), smartphones with the Exynos 9820 quickly overheat, especially under prolonged load.
AI Tasks:
The built-in third-generation NPU accelerated scene recognition for the camera and Bixby operations. However, it lacks the power for modern AI models (e.g., Stable Diffusion).
3. Built-in Modules: 4G, Wi-Fi 6, and Absence of 5G
- Modem: An integrated 4G modem (LTE Cat.20) with download speeds up to 2 Gbps. For 5G, an external chip (e.g., Exynos Modem 5100) was needed, which increased costs and power consumption.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 — still relevant standards in 2025.
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo — comprehensive support.
Con: The lack of 5G support is critical for modern plans offering ultra-high-speed internet.
4. Comparison with Competitors: How Does Exynos 9820 Stand Against Its Era
- Snapdragon 855 (2019): Better energy efficiency (7 nm) and higher GPU performance (Adreno 640).
- Apple A12 Bionic: Leader in single-threaded tasks (Geekbench 6 SC: ~1100 in 2025), but weaker in multi-threading.
- HiSilicon Kirin 990 (5G): Built-in 5G modem, more advanced AI accelerator.
In 2025: The Exynos 9820 is close to budget chips like Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 or MediaTek Dimensity 700 but falls behind them in energy efficiency.
5. Use Cases: Who is this Processor Relevant for in 2025?
- Everyday tasks: Social media, browsing, streaming (YouTube, Netflix) — no problems.
- Photo and video: 4K@60fps, HDR10+ recording — supported by flagships from 2019–2020 (e.g., Galaxy S10). However, modern processing algorithms (night mode, portrait lighting) work slowly.
- Gaming: Only light games (Among Us, Clash Royale) or older titles (Asphalt 9).
Ideal User: Someone who needs a budget smartphone for basic tasks with 4G support and a quality display (e.g., refurbished Galaxy S10 priced at $150–$200).
6. Pros and Cons of Exynos 9820 in 2025
Pros:
- Low cost of devices in the secondary market.
- Support for 4K recording cameras (relevant for enthusiasts).
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
Cons:
- High power consumption.
- Lack of 5G support.
- Limited update support (Android 12–13 are the last available versions).
7. Practical Tips: How to Choose a Smartphone with Exynos 9820
- Cooling: Look for models with good cooling solutions (e.g., Galaxy Note 10).
- Battery: At least 4000 mAh — the processor is power-hungry.
- Memory: Optimally, 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage.
- Display: AMOLED with 60 Hz refresh rate — typical for devices from 2019–2020.
Examples of Devices:
- Samsung Galaxy S10/S10+ (price in 2025 for refurbished: $150–$250).
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10/Note 10+ ($200–$300).
Important: Ensure that the battery has been replaced with a new one — original batteries may have degraded.
8. Final Conclusion: Who is the Exynos 9820 Suitable For?
This processor in 2025 is a choice for:
1. Budget users who need sufficient 4G and basic functions.
2. Retro device enthusiasts who appreciate the classic design of the Galaxy S10.
3. Backup smartphones — as a spare gadget for calls and messaging.
Key Benefits:
- Low price.
- Reliability (provided the battery is replaced).
- Support for modern wireless standards (except for 5G).
Alternatives: If you need 5G and recent updates, consider budget options like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 (from $200) or Samsung Galaxy A25 5G ($250).
The Exynos 9820 is an example of a "dead but not forgotten" chip. While it no longer impresses with performance, it remains a workhorse for undemanding scenarios.