Built on an advanced 4nm EUV process, it promises higher performance and better efficiency, and is expected to debut in devices such as the Galaxy A57 5G.

At its heart, the Exynos 1680 has an octa-core tri-cluster CPU: one Cortex-A720 core clocked at 2.9GHz, four Cortex-A720 cores at 2.6GHz, and three Cortex-A520 efficiency cores at 1.95GHz. Samsung has swapped one efficiency core for an extra mid-core compared with the previous generation to improve sustained performance without a sharp rise in power draw.

Graphics are handled by the Xclipse 550 GPU based on AMD's RDNA 3 architecture, using a 2WGP and 2RB configuration. Samsung claims up to a 15-16 percent uplift in GPU performance over its predecessor, which should translate into smoother gaming and more responsive visuals at higher frame rates.

On-device AI is powered by an upgraded NPU capable of up to 19.6 trillion operations per second, backed by an AI engine with 8K MAC support for complex machine-learning workloads. That allows tasks such as image enhancement, live translation and other AI features to run locally, with less reliance on the cloud.

The Exynos 1680 supports camera sensors up to 200 megapixels, 64-megapixel single capture at 30fps, and dual 32-megapixel setups, as well as 4K video recording and playback at 60fps with support for codecs including HEVC and H.264. Samsung says its upgraded image signal processor offers improved noise reduction and better detail and colour, particularly in low light.

Displays up to full-HD+ resolution can be driven at refresh rates of up to 144Hz, a specification that should benefit gaming and fast scrolling alike. The platform is paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, bringing faster memory and storage performance to mid-range phones.

Connectivity support includes 5G NR in FR1 and FR2 bands with peak download speeds of up to 5.1Gbps on sub-6GHz networks and 4.84Gbps on mmWave, alongside LTE Cat.18 with up to 1.2Gbps downlink. It also offers Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.1, GNSS positioning, NFC and USB Type-C 2.0.

The Samsung Exynos 1680's 4nm design, stronger GPU, faster AI engine and 200MP camera support signal a notable jump for Samsung's mid-range silicon. If manufacturers fully tap its display, camera and connectivity capabilities, upcoming phones built on this platform could narrow the gap with premium models while keeping prices in check.