Introduction
HiSilicon Kirin 820 and Samsung Exynos 1280 are two middle-range chipsets, respectively designed to offer optimal performance balanced among power efficiency, AI, and gaming features. Built on the grounds of mid-tier smartphones, both provide extensive options for connectivity, excellent support for multimedia, and great camera resolutions.
Comparison of HiSilicon Kirin 820 vs Samsung Exynos 1280
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 820 | Samsung Exynos 1280 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Architecture | 1x Cortex-A76 @ 2.36 GHz + 3x Cortex-A76 @ 2.22 GHz + 4x Cortex-A55 @ 1.84 GHz | 2x Cortex-A78 @ 2.4 GHz + 6x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0 GHz | Exynos 1280 has a newer architecture with fewer performance cores. |
| Fabrication Process | 7nm | 5nm | Exynos 1280 is more power-efficient due to a smaller node size. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP6 | Mali-G68 | Exynos 1280 provides better GPU performance. |
| AI Accelerator | Ascend AI | Samsung NPU | Kirin 820 has specialized AI processing via Ascend AI. |
| Memory Support | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X/LPDDR5 | Exynos 1280 supports the newer LPDDR5 standard. |
| Storage Support | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 | Exynos 1280 has faster storage speeds. |
| Display Support | FHD+ @ 120 Hz | FHD+ @ 120 Hz | Both support the same resolution and refresh rate. |
| Camera ISP | 64 MP | 108 MP | Exynos 1280 supports higher resolution cameras. |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1 | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 | Exynos 1280 offers better wireless connectivity. |
| Power Efficiency | Efficient for 7nm design | Superior with 5nm design | Exynos 1280 excels in power efficiency. |
Specifications
| Category | HiSilicon Kirin 820 | Samsung Exynos 1280 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 1x Cortex-A76 + 3x Cortex-A76 + 4x Cortex-A55 | 2x Cortex-A78 + 6x Cortex-A55 |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP6 | Mali-G68 |
| Process Node | 7nm | 5nm |
| Max Display Resolution | FHD+ @ 120 Hz | FHD+ @ 120 Hz |
| Max Camera Support | 64 MP | 108 MP |
| Memory Support | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X/LPDDR5 |
| Storage Support | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| AI Accelerator | Ascend AI | Samsung NPU |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1 | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 |
Functionality Review
Performance Benchmarks
| Benchmark | HiSilicon Kirin 820 | Samsung Exynos 1280 | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu 10 | ~410,000 | ~460,000 | Exynos 1280 leads in overall performance. |
| GeekBench 6 (Single) | ~700 | ~750 | Exynos 1280 performs slightly better in single-core tasks. |
| GeekBench 6 (Multi) | ~2,600 | ~2,800 | Exynos 1280 has a minor advantage in multi-core performance. |
Graphics and Gaming
| Category | HiSilicon Kirin 820 | Samsung Exynos 1280 | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP6 | Mali-G68 | Exynos 1280 offers improved gaming performance. |
| Max FPS Support | 120 FPS | 120 FPS | Both support high refresh rates for gaming. |
AI and Accelerators
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 820 | Samsung Exynos 1280 | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Performance | Excellent | Great | Kirin 820’s Ascend AI engine offers better dedicated AI performance. |
Memory
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 820 | Samsung Exynos 1280 | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAM Type | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X/LPDDR5 | Exynos 1280 supports the faster LPDDR5 standard. |
| Max RAM Speed | 2,133 MHz | 4,266 MHz | Exynos 1280 supports significantly faster RAM speeds. |
Connectivity
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 820 | Samsung Exynos 1280 | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Exynos 1280 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Exynos 1280 offers slightly better Bluetooth capabilities. |
| 5G Support | Sub-6 GHz | Sub-6 GHz | Both provide similar 5G functionality. |
Power Efficiency
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 820 | Samsung Exynos 1280 | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabrication | 7nm | 5nm | Exynos 1280 provides better power efficiency due to 5nm design. |
Smartphones Featuring HiSilicon Kirin 820 and Samsung Exynos 1280
| Chipset | Smartphones |
|---|---|
| HiSilicon Kirin 820 | Huawei Nova 7 SE – Honor 30S – Huawei Enjoy Z 5G – Huawei MatePad 10.8 (Tablet) |
| Samsung Exynos 1280 | Samsung Galaxy A53 5G – Samsung Galaxy A33 5G – Samsung Galaxy M13 5G – Samsung Galaxy M14 5G |
Key Smartphone Features
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 820 Smartphones | Samsung Exynos 1280 Smartphones | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | Mid-Range (~$300-$400) | Mid-Range (~$250-$400) | Both chipsets are featured in similarly priced smartphones. |
| Performance | Adequate for general tasks, media consumption, and light gaming. | Better suited for gaming, multitasking, and modern applications. | Exynos 1280 offers better overall performance. |
| Battery Efficiency | Good efficiency but slightly less optimized than newer 5nm nodes. | Excellent efficiency due to the advanced 5nm fabrication process. | Exynos 1280 smartphones generally last longer on a single charge. |
| Camera | Supports 48 MP to 64 MP cameras. | Supports higher resolution cameras, up to 108 MP. | Exynos 1280 smartphones often have more advanced camera features. |
| 5G Connectivity | Sub-6 GHz 5G with adequate speeds for current networks. | Sub-6 GHz 5G with better connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6. | Exynos 1280 smartphones provide faster connectivity options. |
Your question and our opinion about the HiSilicon Kirin 820 or Samsung Exynos 1280?
- Which is better, HiSilicon Kirin 820 or Samsung Exynos 1280?
Exynos 1280 is better in overall performance, power efficiency, and connectivity.- Which chipset is more power-efficient?
Exynos 1280 is more power-efficient due to its 5nm process.- Which chipset has better GPU performance?
Exynos 1280 offers better gaming performance with its Mali-G68 GPU.- Does Kirin 820 support LPDDR5 memory?
No, Kirin 820 supports only LPDDR4X, while Exynos 1280 supports LPDDR5.- What is the maximum camera resolution supported?
Kirin 820 supports up to 64 MP, whereas Exynos 1280 supports up to 108 MP.- Does Exynos 1280 have better connectivity features?
Yes, it supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 compared to Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 in Kirin 820.- Which chipset is better for AI tasks?
Kirin 820 excels in dedicated AI tasks with its Ascend AI engine.- Are both chipsets good for 5G smartphones?
Yes, both are designed for 5G smartphones.- Which chipset offers better storage speed?
Exynos 1280 with UFS 2.2 provides faster storage speeds than Kirin 820 with UFS 2.1.- Which chipset is better overall for gaming and multitasking?
Exynos 1280 is better due to its GPU performance and support for LPDDR5 memory.
