The Samsung Galaxy S4 is already generating an almost iPhone-like buzz, and the hype is likely to accelerate next month as carriers prepare to sell the phone. But while Samsung has been trumpeting the smartphone’s features it has had less to say about the components inside its new flagship device, with the exception of the new “octo-core” processor that will ship in some models.
The “octo-core” Exynos 5 processor is widely believed to be made by Samsung using a 28-nanometer process. It will ship in HSPA+ versions of the phone; the LTE models will use the Qualcomm quad-core Snapdragon 600, as well as Qualcomm’s LTE radio solution. The LTE model also relies on Qualcomm for its wireless LAN/Bluetooth/FM/GPS subsystem, according to analysts at IHS iSuppli who have taken apart both an HSPA+ model and an LTE model of the Galaxy S4.
IHS iSuppli believes that the HSPA+ version of the phone uses a Broadcom connectivity chipset, as well as Broadcom’s global navigation GPS solution. This chipset is able to “wake up” the phone when it enters an active “geofence,” meaning that it can constantly monitor GPS signals without draining battery life. When the chip goes into receive mode, businesses within a “geofence” can push special offers and coupons to smartphone users.
Broadcom is also thought to be the supplier of the phone’s NFC chip. NFC (near field communication) enables devices to communicate with one another directly, bypassing Wi-Fi and cellular networks. It is used for mobile payments when smartphones send data to payment terminals, and for sharing smartphone content with televisions or using the smartphone as a remote.
According to IHS iSuppli, Intel is the likely supplier of the HSPA+ Galaxy’s baseband processor and RF transceiver. Intel supplied these components for the Galaxy S III as well.
IHS iSuppli estimates that the HSPA+ model actually costs more to produce than the LTE version, if the cost to Samsung of producing its “octo-core” chipset is included. IHS iSuppli estimates the cost of making the Exynos 5 at $30.00, versus $20.00 for the Qualcomm processor used in the LTE model. The firm also thinks that Qualcomm’s wireless LAN/Bluetooth/FM/GPS solution costs less than the solution used in the HSPA+ model.
All told, the analysts put the total bill of materials for the HSPA+ model at $236 and the BOM for the LTE model at $233. The retail price of the Galaxy S4 has not yet been announced but is expected to be between $199 and $299.
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