Samsung Exynos 7420
Samsung Exynos 7420: A Retrospective and Relevance in 2025
An overview of the processor that once set trends and its place in the modern market
Introduction
In 2015, Samsung introduced the Exynos 7420 — a processor that became the benchmark for flagship smartphones of its era. Its 14-nm process technology, octa-core architecture, and Mali-T760 MP8 were impressive, and devices based on it, such as the Galaxy S6 and Note 5, received rave reviews. However, by 2025, the Exynos 7420 is seen as outdated. Nevertheless, smartphones with this chip can still be found in the budget segment (new models priced around $150–200). Who would benefit from them? What performance can be expected? Let’s delve into the details.
Architecture and Process Technology: Innovations of the Past
CPU: Big.LITTLE and Power Balance
The Exynos 7420 is built on an octa-core Big.LITTLE architecture:
- 4 Cortex-A57 cores (2.1 GHz) for resource-intensive tasks;
- 4 Cortex-A53 cores (1.5 GHz) for background processes.
This approach ensured a balance between performance and energy efficiency. The L2 cache of 512 KB (256 KB per cluster A57 and A53) accelerated data processing, but this is clearly insufficient by modern standards.
GPU: Mali-T760 MP8
The Mali-T760 MP8 graphic accelerator with 8 cores supported resolutions up to 4K, but by 2025, it only manages simple games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers. Modern titles, such as Genshin Impact, will run on minimum settings with frame rates dropping below 30 FPS.
14-nm Process Technology: A Breakthrough That Has Become Obsolete
In 2015, the transition to 14 nm was revolutionary — it allowed for reduced power consumption (TDP 7 W) and heat generation compared to 20-nm chips. However, today even budget processors use 6–7 nm, while flagships leverage 3–4 nm. The difference in transistor density is enormous and directly impacts performance.
Performance: What Can the Exynos 7420 Do in 2025?
Gaming: Nostalgia for the Past
- Geekbench 6: 195 (Single-Core), 840 (Multi-Core) — these numbers are close to budget MediaTek Helio G35 (2020).
- AnTuTu 10: 209,262 points — indicative of the entry-level segment of 2023–2024.
- Gaming: The Mali-T760 MP8 does not support ray tracing, and Vulkan 1.1 limits capabilities. Games like PUBG Mobile will run on medium settings (30 FPS), but frame drops are possible.
Multimedia: HD — Comfortable, 4K — With Reservations
- 4K/30fps video playback is possible, but rendering or editing in such resolution will be extremely slow.
- Codec support: H.265 (HEVC), H.264, VP9 — relevant for streaming YouTube in HD.
Artificial Intelligence: Weak Link
The Exynos 7420 lacks an NPU (neural processing unit), so tasks such as face recognition or photo processing through neural networks are handled by the CPU and GPU, resulting in increased latencies. For example, applying filters in apps like Adobe Lightroom will take 2–3 times longer than on chips with an NPU.
Power Consumption and Heating
With a TDP of 7 W — a modest figure — but combined with the outdated process technology and passive cooling of smartphones, this leads to throttling (a decrease in frequency) under prolonged load. For instance, after 15 minutes of gaming, the processor may drop the A57 frequency to 1.8 GHz.
Integrated Communication Modules: 4G as the Foundation
- Modem: Integrated LTE Cat. 9 (up to 450 Mbps) — insufficient for 2025, considering the dominance of 5G.
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) but without support for Wi-Fi 6. Speeds up to 433 Mbps (5 GHz).
- Bluetooth: Version 4.2 — lacks BLE Audio or fast pairing features found in BT 5.3.
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS — without Galileo or BeiDou. The positioning accuracy is sufficient for city navigation, but mountains may present inaccuracies.
Comparison with Competitors: 2015 vs. 2025
2015 Generation
- Snapdragon 810: Warmer but had similar performance. Exynos 7420 excelled in energy efficiency.
- Apple A9: Outperformed in Single-Core tests (Geekbench 5: ~2500 vs. 1500) but lagged in multi-threading.
Modern Analogues (2025)
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 3: LTE modem, 6-nm process technology, AnTuTu 350,000 — twice as powerful.
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+: Supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, with device prices starting from $200.
Today, the Exynos 7420 is an option for those who don’t need cutting-edge capabilities. Its performance is comparable to budget chips from 2022–2023, but lacks modern technologies like 5G or AI acceleration.
Use Cases: Who is it Suitable For?
1. Everyday Tasks:
- Social networks, messaging apps, video consumption — operate without lag.
- Multitasking is limited: more than 5 tabs open in a browser may cause slowdowns.
2. Gaming:
- Suitable for casual games. For projects like Call of Duty: Mobile, settings will need to be minimized.
3. Photo and Video:
- 4K/30fps recording is possible, but stabilization and HDR will process slowly.
- Launching apps like Adobe Premiere Rush may be challenging.
Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- Low device cost.
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks.
- Energy efficiency (up to 5–6 hours of screen time with a 4000 mAh battery).
Disadvantages:
- No 5G or Wi-Fi 6.
- Weak GPU for modern games.
- Lack of NPU.
Practical Tips: What to Look For When Buying
1. Price: New smartphones with Exynos 7420 should not cost more than $200.
2. Memory: At least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage.
3. Battery: At least 4000 mAh to compensate for less-than-ideal optimization.
4. Updates: Check if Android 10–12 is installed (newer versions are unlikely).
Typical Devices:
- Samsung Galaxy A series from 2023–2024 (global versions);
- Budget smartphones from brands like Oukitel or Blackview.
Final Conclusion: For Whom is the Exynos 7420?
This processor is an option for:
- Secondary Device: For example, a gadget for a child or an elderly person.
- Budget Buyers: Who prioritize savings over top-notch specs.
- Nostalgic Users: Fans of the Galaxy S6 wanting to upgrade while retaining a familiar interface.
Key Benefits:
- Affordable price.
- Proven reliability (the chip is known for its stable performance).
- Support for basic communication and multimedia functions.
If you need 5G, smooth gaming, or advanced cameras — consider devices with Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 or Dimensity 6100+. The Exynos 7420 in 2025 is a symbol of a bygone era that can still be useful in the hands of an undemanding user.