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Samsung: Quad-Core CPU Required for Android 5.0

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In a leak that detailed that the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean software update will be the last update to be pushed to Samsung’s dual-core Galaxy line of Android smartphones and tablets, the company may essentially be saying that for Android 5.0 and beyond, a quad-core CPU may be required.

According to a post on Sam Mobile, the Galaxy Tab 2 models will be getting Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean at some point in the future, but that will be the last software update for the tablet. It’s been previously rumored that current dual-core smartphones and tablets will end at the Android 4.2.2 software update.

The Galaxy Tab 2 by Samsung will receive Android 4.1.2 and end with Android 4.2.2. Samsung will no longer support the Galaxy Tab 2 after the Android 4.2.2 update. The updates must be done before the end of September. The issue with Samsung’s Exynos processor has been resolved and Samsung has, once again, started to test Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean firmwares for the Galaxy Tab 7.7 (GT-P6800) and Galaxy Tab Plus (GT-P6200).

More recent Samsung devices have quad-core CPUs. The international edition of the Galaxy S3 came with a quad-core Exynos CPU while the U.S. variant contained a dual-core Snapdragon chipset. The Galaxy Note 5.5-inch phablet launched with the quad-core Exynos and Samsung’s Galaxy S4 flagship will debut with the Exynos 5 Octa internationally and a quad-core Snapdragon 600 CPU in select markets with LTE chipsets.

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Samsung is speculated to be unveiling its Galaxy Tab 3 lineup later this year. Those tablets are rumored to come with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean out of the box, but will be getting a software update to Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie in the future. The Galaxy Tab 3 will likely compete with the iPad 5 from Apple and new Nexus tablets from Google.

It’s unclear though if the cut-off for Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie with quad-core processing is part of Samsung’s own internal policies or if it stems from Google. It is anticipated that Google will detail specs around Android 5.0 at the Google I/O developer conference in mid-May. The venue may see the announcement of a new Nexus 5 smartphone, new Nexus tablets, and potentially news about Motorola Mobility’s new X Phone products.

If in fact the quad-core requirement for Android 5.0 comes from Google, then other manufacturers will not be able to upgrade their dual-core smartphones or tablets beyond Android 4.2 Jelly Bean as well.

12 Comments

12 Comments

  1. Daniel Blois

    03/26/2013 at 8:10 am

    I doubt it since that would not allow the US version of the S3 to Get Android 5.0 since it is only a dual core CPU.

    • safiullah

      04/16/2013 at 2:21 am

      s3 has a quad core processor

      • sfsdfas

        04/22/2013 at 10:29 am

        the us version is only dual core

  2. Sean Devin

    03/26/2013 at 8:42 am

    This will more likely be due to the sale numbers being too low to bother than number of cores. Processor speed itself would be a better reason over cores, but I don’t think it’s the reason, a better reason could be this over the top customising Sansung do.

    Why can’t we have more phone makers releasing pure unadulterated, untouched android?

  3. Eye4detail

    03/26/2013 at 8:51 am

    Samsung has found a way to create a cutoff point for updates. This doesn’t mean 5.0 will have a quad core requirement. It simply means Samsung decided that this was the best way to limit the amount of devices they’d have to update. Now they can make “user experience” claims and have a single piece of hardware to point to as the culprit.

    There are dual core CPUs that perform on par with some quad cores. There are quad cores (like the Tegra 4) that are said to be equal to Samsung’s octa-core.

    Number of cores does not equal amount of performance. It’s just a way for OEMs to make people think there’s a tangible reason their device won’t get updated. Those of us who follow tech know better. Or at least, we’re supposed to. Maybe this article should’ve been “Samsung puts artificial cap on Android updates”. Especially since Google has never once put a minimum hardware spec on an Android release. But you already knew that, right?

    • David Heim

      04/01/2013 at 1:32 pm

      Well, Samsung’s Octa core processor isn’t really 8 processors. They’re just 4 A15 processors clocked at 1.6ghz that’ll handle the harder tasks and 4 A7 processors clocked at 1.2ghz that’ll handle the menial tasks. These processors cannot be used at the same time. So technically, Samsung is using quad core processors.

    • Andres Galvan

      04/05/2013 at 5:37 pm

      Makes no sense at all. The Nexus 10 has a Exynos 4 Dual clocked at 1.7GHz and is considered and benchmarked as one of the best performing tablets out there. It beats the Tegra 3 Nexus 7 out of the ballpark. This is ludacris…

  4. Jeff

    03/26/2013 at 9:42 am

    Android 5.0 will not have a quad core requirement seeing as the Nexus line has at least a 2 year update plan and the Nexus 10 came out less than a year ago. Google would not do this because it goes against the entire Nexus line as one of the selling points is the exclusive, immediate updates. I would bet that Samsung is just making it this way so that they don’t have to build updates for their older devices and to try and use 5.0 as a selling point for their next generation of tablets.

  5. Zay

    03/27/2013 at 2:10 am

    I call bullshit… its just coincidence. Samsung and most carriers(american at least) have always had a two year EOL(end of life) limit, thats all this is. Most device released before 2012 were dual core so its coincidence,. Quad core isnt a requirement for 5.0 as that would eliminate goggles own flagship 10 tab the nexus 10 which was only released at the end of 2012. Google isnt that dumb, they actually just started promoting the device, so they are gearing up to give it even more attention. For that matter neither is Samsung, who has at least one dual core device confirmed to get key lime pie; the u.s. galaxy s3. It’d be ridiculous for them to update the international version and not the U.S. version. The backlash would be too great and probably hinder sales of future devices like the S4 which also has alternate version, due to consumer mistrust. This isnt good reporting or even speculation … sensational b.s. to get readers. The writer knows (or should know) better as someone who really follows tech.

    • Kendrick

      04/02/2013 at 10:32 pm

      Google’s devices have AOSP Android as stock software. Samsung’s devices, however, have TouchWiz on top of them.

  6. Rick

    05/14/2013 at 7:55 am

    If nothing is on the xda are still there with the pure android

  7. kobi

    06/20/2014 at 9:28 pm

    Just dont buy samsung.

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