Why does the US get a different CPU than rest of world?

[johnpjackson]

I know the Note 7 isn't the only device like this - there have been many others. Does anyone know why Samsung is expected to release the Note 7 with a Qualcomm CPU here in the US, and a Samsung CPU everywhere else in the world? I can't think of any reasons for this that are good. It seems like it would cost Samsung more money to make two different versions, instead of just one. So why do it? Is there some requirement being put upon them by the US, that they can't, or won't, meet with their own CPU? I don't like it..

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Probably one of those business deals that are beyond us mere mortals. That's why the folks in stock exchanges get paid so much.

 

[Teegunn]

It is odd. I wonder if there aren't certain security/NSA or similar types of things built into the US version. Wild thought but one I have had.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Nope. Can't happen. I'd follow the money.

 

[mikedt]

CDMA/EVDO, Qualcomm's processors support it, Samsung's processors do not. It's only mainly the US and China that has major carriers using CDMA.

 

[Teegunn]

CDMA/EVDO, Qualcomm's processors support it, Samsung's processors do not. It's only mainly the US and China that has major carriers using CDMA.

That seems like the answer then.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Thanks mikedt. It's not the money then, spectrum's are the answer.

 

[mikedt]

Thanks mikedt. It's not the money then, spectrum's are the answer.

Could be money as well, because I believe it's Qualcomm that have all the patents and other IP related to CDMA/EVDO. Which Samsung would have to license if they wanted to include CDMA/EVDO support in their own processors. So probably easier and maybe cheaper to put Qualcomm into those phones that require it, like US devices for Verizon or whatever.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

I think spectrum generates money. Aren't they like abandoning CDMA? I think I read that somewhere.

 

[mikedt]

I think spectrum generates money. Aren't they like abandoning CDMA? I think I read that somewhere.

Maybe eventually, with a move to 4G LTE for everyone. I believe Canada turned off CDMA quite recently, with Bell.

I don't think China Telecom has got any plans to turn off CDMA at the moment. Samsungs use Qualcomm for that carrier as well AFAIK.

CDMA is also used in countries like Iraq and Nigeria, but those are not Samsung's major markets for their expensive flagship phones

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Well, there you go. A Nation turned it off.

 

[mikedt]

Now you'll have to see if Verizon and Sprint et-al will do likewise. [emoji14]

 

[Lennatron]

CDMA/EVDO, Qualcomm's processors support it, Samsung's processors do not. It's only mainly the US and China that has major carriers using CDMA.

This makes sense but back in 2012 the Galaxy Note II had a Samsung Exynos processor even in the U.S. I remember because I had the Galaxy Note II on Sprint and it was one of the only U.S. devices to feature a Samsung Exynos processor.

Why Samsung no longer uses their Exynos processors in the U.S. I do not know.

 

[durandetto]

The note 5 also has the exynos.