Quick Answer

The Samsung Exynos 1380 and MediaTek Helio G96 are mobile processors designed for mid-range smartphones. The Exynos 1380 is a newer 5nm chipset with a more modern CPU and GPU architecture, typically offering better overall performance and efficiency. The Helio G96 is an older 12nm chip focused on reliable performance for gaming and everyday tasks at a potentially lower cost.

Introduction

Choosing a smartphone often involves understanding the capabilities of its processor, which acts as the device’s brain. This comparison examines two popular mid-range chipsets: the Samsung Exynos 1380 and the MediaTek Helio G96. While they target a similar segment of the market, they were released years apart and are built on fundamentally different technologies. This analysis will break down their specifications in areas like CPU performance, graphics, manufacturing process, and feature support to help clarify their respective strengths and typical use cases.

Manufacturing Process & Release Date

The foundational technology of a chipset significantly impacts its efficiency and potential performance.

• Samsung Exynos 1380: Manufactured using a 5-nanometer (5nm) process. This newer, smaller fabrication generally allows for more transistors in a smaller space, leading to better power efficiency and less heat generation. It was announced in early 2023.
• MediaTek Helio G96: Built on a 12-nanometer (12nm) process. This is an older and larger node, which typically means it is less power-efficient under load and can run warmer than chips on newer processes. It was announced in mid-2021.

The two-year gap and difference in process node give the Exynos 1380 a clear theoretical advantage in terms of modern design and efficiency.

CPU & Performance

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) handles general tasks and application performance.

• Samsung Exynos 1380: Features an octa-core CPU with a 4+4 configuration. It uses four high-performance ARM Cortex-A78 cores and four power-efficient ARM Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture is more modern and is designed to deliver strong performance for demanding apps while maintaining battery life for lighter tasks.
• MediaTek Helio G96: Also an octa-core chip, but with a 2+6 setup. It employs two ARM Cortex-A76 cores for performance and six ARM Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. While the A76 cores are capable, they are an older generation than the A78, which typically results in lower peak performance and efficiency.

In synthetic benchmarks and real-world usage, the Exynos 1380 generally demonstrates a noticeable lead in CPU performance.

GPU & Gaming

The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is crucial for gaming, UI animations, and graphics-intensive applications.

• Samsung Exynos 1380: Equipped with an ARM Mali-G68 MP5 GPU. This is a modern GPU that supports features like Variable Rate Shading (VRS) for more efficient rendering. It provides solid performance for popular mobile games at medium to high settings.
• MediaTek Helio G96: Uses an ARM Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. While part of the same GPU family, the MC2 configuration indicates fewer cores. It is capable of handling casual and mid-tier gaming well but may struggle with more graphically demanding titles at higher frame rates compared to the G68.

The Exynos 1380’s GPU is typically more powerful, offering a better gaming experience in titles that push graphical limits.

Connectivity & Features

Modern connectivity options are essential for network performance and future-proofing.

• Samsung Exynos 1380: Integrates a 5G modem, providing support for next-generation cellular networks. It also typically supports faster LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage standards, which contribute to snappier overall system responsiveness.
• MediaTek Helio G96: Is a 4G/LTE-only chipset, lacking native 5G support. It supports LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, which are capable but older standards than those found in the Exynos 1380.

The inclusion of 5G and support for newer memory/storage technologies is a significant differentiator for the Exynos 1380.

Camera & AI Support

Both chips include Image Signal Processors (ISPs) to handle camera data.

• Samsung Exynos 1380: Its ISP supports single-camera setups up to 200MP and can handle dual-camera systems like 64MP+32MP. It includes a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for on-device AI tasks, which can enhance photography features like scene recognition and processing.
• MediaTek Helio G96: Supports camera configurations up to 108MP for a single sensor or 16MP+16MP for dual cameras. It also has AI processing capabilities, though its NPU may be less powerful than the one in the Exynos 1380.

The Exynos 1380 generally supports higher-resolution sensors and has more dedicated AI hardware.

Comparison Table: Exynos 1380 vs Helio G96

FAQ

Final Thoughts

This comparison highlights a clear generational gap between the Samsung Exynos 1380 and the MediaTek Helio G96. The Exynos 1380 benefits from a newer manufacturing process, a more modern CPU and GPU design, integrated 5G connectivity, and support for faster memory and storage. These factors typically translate to superior overall performance, efficiency, and future-proofing. The Helio G96, while older, remains a competent chip for 4G devices, offering reliable performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming. The choice between them in a smartphone will largely depend on whether features like 5G, peak gaming performance, and the latest technology are priorities, or if reliable 4G performance at a potentially more accessible price point is the main consideration.