Dear Samsung Developers,
I purchased a Galaxy Z Flip 7 with high expectations due to the Xclipse 950 GPU, based on AMD’s RDNA3 architecture. However, after analyzing the software side in more depth, I found several limitations that prevent the hardware from reaching its full potential in gaming and emulation.
1. Missing BCn Texture Compression Support
The GPU currently lacks support for BCn formats (BC4, BC5, BC6, BC7).
These formats are widely used in modern game engines and last-gen console emulation because they reduce VRAM usage without sacrificing visual quality.
They save memory, reduce bandwidth requirements, and directly improve performance and stability.
All RDNA3 GPUs, including Xclipse 940 and 950, support BCn formats at the hardware level. This is therefore a driver/software limitation, not a hardware one.
2. Vulkan API Limitations
Google requires Vulkan 1.4 support for Android 16.
Benchmarks (Geekbench / NanoReview) indicated Vulkan 1.4 support on the Exynos 2500, but the final device ships with Vulkan 1.3.279.
The extension VK_EXT_host_image_copy is also missing. This feature is crucial for allowing the GPU to directly access and manipulate RAM data without CPU dependency, lowering latency and improving efficiency in intensive workloads.
3. Real-World Performance Impact
In Dolphin Emulator, titles such as Need for Speed Underground 2 frequently crash or freeze.
Since the upgrade from Android 14 to Android 15 (tested on Galaxy S24+), Vulkan optimizations have regressed noticeably.
On Android 14, Exynos outperformed Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in Nintendo Switch emulation. On Android 15, due to driver inefficiencies and bottlenecks, performance has dropped below even Snapdragon 870 levels.
The same regression is now seen on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (Exynos 2500), negatively affecting power users and enthusiasts.
4. Why Fixing This Matters
Adding full BCn support, upgrading to Vulkan 1.4, and implementing VK_EXT_host_image_copy would:
Align with Android 16’s technical requirements.
Deliver a significant real-world performance boost.
Improve stability and user experience in both gaming and advanced workloads.
I strongly believe addressing these software/driver limitations would unlock the true potential of the Exynos 2500 and Xclipse 950, ensuring the product meets the expectations of advanced users who invested in it.
