The slashgear article goes on to say at the end that the chip will be sampled 2nd half of 2011. Not saying it is going to happen but we can't rule it out definitively either. That could be why the phone is a "beast", was the phone slated to win the gaming award at CITA, and be "ahead of the curve" it could be they even underclocked it 1.5 to help quench the thirst for battery.
Point is all I'm saying is if everything is set for the phone and TI happened to make the 4470 available for Google why wouldn't they jump at the chance to put it in the phone if a chip swap is easy?
I know what you are saying, but the business world doesn't work that way. I'm sure Ti would love every chance to get one of thier flagship products (although OMAP 5 series is around the corner too

) into a product right now, but reality interfers with that.
You guys don't have to take my word for it, and don't have to rely on pseudo reports like slashgear. Get is strait from Texas Instruments. They have the full datasheets, design guides, and everything you wanted to know. They say sampling in Q1 2012. And they are the experts on when they release
thier product.
Also sampling in the IC world means they are giving limited numbers or pre-production chips to customers for testing purposes. Often, the chip has errata (bugs), may not even be the same package or size. Customers are aware of this, and gladly take the samples so they can start the design. Keep in mind, the sample date for the OMAP 4460 was
Q1 2011!!! We are not seeing a product with that SoC until now. At best, 6 mos before it actually gets into a product.
Right now, I'm guessing that Exynos 4212 won't find it's way into a product for another 6 mos. I'll be the first one to admit if I'm wrong, but don't expect product until Q2 2012.
This conspiracy nonsense about keeping chips in-house vs public sales is just that, wishfull thinking. I'm not trying to be harsh, it's just reality. As much as I'd like to see the Exynos 4212, it won't happen.