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Rumor: Samsung to chose Intel Atom power for the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1

samsung-galaxy-tab-7-camera-lensHere’s another rumor to add to the growing list surrounding future Samsung devices: The company could incorporate an Intel Atom processor in to the next Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 tablet, abandoning the previously used ARM-based chips. This is based on a report from perennial rumor-mongers SamMobile, where a benchmark test revealed a pair of tablets with the model numbers P5200 and P5210. As the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 had a P5100 model number, it’s logical to think its sequel would be the P5200.

The benchmark test reveals the Samsung tablet to be powered by an Intel Clover Trail processor, with a 1.6GHz clock speed, which by matching it to this Intel documentation probably identifies it the Z2560 Atom chip. According to the test, the tablet has a 10.1-inch screen with a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, and ran Android 4.2.2 at the time. The results of the test were impressive, with the P5200’s performance beating that of the Exynos-equipped Nexus 10.

What’s surprising though, is that Samsung should move away from ARM architecture on its larger Galaxy Tab models, although the new Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 may show us it doesn’t always feel the need to use an Exynos or Qualcomm chip. When it was announced, Samsung only confirmed the Tab 3 7.0 had a 1.2GHz dual-core processor inside, before another set of benchmarking figures indicated it featured a Marvell PXA986 chip. We won’t know for sure until it goes on sale if it’s accurate for the retail model, but it does show a willingness to experiment on Samsung’s part.

Samsung already has a relationship with Intel through its laptop and Windows tablet ranges, but this would represent a considerable strategy shift if it does integrate an Intel chip into its next high-profile Android tablet release. It’s all speculation at the moment, but if the rumors are correct, we’ll could get our answer as soon as June or July.

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
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