With dual-core processors being the next major step for mobile devices, NVIDIA's Tegra 2 is getting a lot of press. Samsung isn't taking this lying down though, and today introduced the Orion CPU for next-generation gadgets.
As the successor to the Hummingbird, this new silicon will have big shoes to fill. The manufacturer's current flagship-processor is based on ARM's CORTEX A8 design and powers the Galaxy series of smartphones. It's also suspected to be the muscle behind the upcoming Galaxy Tab, though that hasn't been confirmed yet.
However, Samsung is claiming that the Orion will bring performance to a whole new level. The 45nm dual-core CPU ticks along at 1GHz, is based on the CORTEX A9 architecture and has been outfitted with 1MB shared L2 cache. Apparently, this will let the processor handle playback and recording of 1080p content at a smooth 30fps, as well as providing five times the 3D performance of the company's previous-generation silicon.
To give manufacturers ultimate flexibility, the chip will support both SATA and eMMC connections for storage, low-power DDR2 or DDR3 memory, up to three simultaneous displays and a built-in HDMI interface. The chip also has integrated GPS support, reducing the number of separate components required in a mobile device.
Unfortunately, the Orion won't be sent to customers for testing until later this year, with mass production scheduled for the first half of 2011. That means that we could easily be waiting until next autumn before devices with the new silicon start appearing at retail.
