As the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE approaches, we decided to revisit the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, which is equipped with the same Exynos 2200 chip that has raised some concerns in the past. The Exynos 2200 faced various issues upon its release and wasn’t significantly improved even a month later. However, with nearly a year and a half having passed, it’s time to see if this chip has undergone any refinements and improvements over time.
Back when the Exynos 2200 was first introduced, it was plagued by problems. It suffered from excessive heating, its GPU struggled to display graphics correctly in Fortnite, and there were even issues with video display. Despite a subsequent update, the situation didn’t improve significantly.
Fast forward to the present, and we’re approaching the launch of the Galaxy S23 FE, which is rumored to also feature the Exynos 2200 chip. This presents an opportunity to evaluate how the chip has evolved over time. To do so, we revisited Fortnite, the game where the Exynos 2200 initially faced the most issues. Additionally, we tested the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a more recent chip that sets the standard for 2023. Both smartphones were set to maximum graphics settings with 60 FPS and 3D scaling at 100%.
The results showed significant improvement compared to March 2022. While the game still experienced occasional dips in frame rates, graphics issues were no longer present, and overall gameplay conditions were acceptable. Throughout the game, the frame rate generally ranged from 40 to 60 FPS. However, it’s important to note that the battery temperature did exceed 40°C, which could potentially cause slight damage. The device also exhibited noticeable heating, likely due to the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s superior cooling system compared to what the Galaxy S23 FE might have.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra comfortably handled the game with greater stability and less bothersome heating. The chip appeared at ease, with the GPU and CPU sharing the workload, hovering around 66% utilization.
In summary, the comparison between the Exynos 2200 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 demonstrates a clear performance gap, which is expected considering the year-to-year advancements in chip technology. This insight is particularly valuable as Samsung has decided to equip the Galaxy S23 FE with a 2022 chip, allowing consumers to make informed decisions.
Two key takeaways from this evaluation:
- Samsung has notably improved the Exynos 2200 chip after its troubled start. While there’s still a performance difference compared to more conventional chips like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, it now falls within the expected range for year-to-year improvements.
- Heating remains a legitimate concern with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, a point we previously highlighted during our testing. As the Galaxy S23 FE is expected to feature a similar chip, potential buyers should pay close attention to this aspect.
In the coming weeks, as the Galaxy S23 FE becomes available for testing, we will have the opportunity to provide a more comprehensive assessment of its performance and address any lingering concerns.
