BMW selects Samsung’s Exynos Auto V720 chip for its next-gen electric platform, signaling a major milestone for Samsung’s automotive ambitions.
Samsung’s Exynos Auto chips are shifting gears—from smartphones to luxury vehicles. According to a new report from Chosun Biz, BMW has chosen Samsung’s Exynos Auto V720 to power the infotainment system in its upcoming iX3 electric SUV, built on the automaker’s next-generation EV platform.
This marks a significant expansion of Samsung’s automotive chip business—and another win for the Exynos Auto series, which is already in vehicles from Audi, Volkswagen, and Hyundai.
From Smartphones to Steering Wheels
Samsung’s Exynos chips have often drawn scrutiny in mobile for thermal and performance challenges. But in the automotive space, Samsung appears to be hitting its stride.
- The Exynos Auto V720 is reportedly a 5nm chip, optimized for high-reliability in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems.
- It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but it will debut in the new BMW iX3, the first vehicle to use BMW’s future-forward electric architecture.
- The V720 is expected to expand to BMW’s internal combustion engine vehicles as well.
Samsung’s System LSI division designs the chips, while Samsung Foundry handles production—giving the company end-to-end control over quality, performance, and roadmap execution.
Exynos Auto: Quietly Gaining Ground
While smartphone chips grab headlines, Samsung’s automotive silicon is quietly powering more vehicles each year:
- 2019: Samsung began supplying Exynos Auto chips to Audi.
- 2023: The Exynos Auto V920 launched with a 10-core CPU and AMD RDNA2-based Xclipse GPU, destined for Volkswagen and Hyundai vehicles.
- The V920 will reportedly power BMW’s next-gen 7 Series, expanding Samsung’s role in premium automotive segments.
These chips don’t just play music or navigate—they also process sensor data, handle camera feeds, and serve as the backbone for connected, semi-autonomous vehicle experiences.
A New Route for Samsung’s Chip Business
Why does this matter?
- The automotive chip market is expected to grow to $100+ billion by 2030, driven by EVs, autonomous features, and connected services.
- Samsung is leveraging its 5nm EUV leadership, IP from its mobile Exynos line, and in-house GPU tech (via AMD collaboration) to carve out space in this lucrative vertical.
- BMW’s selection signals trust in Samsung’s reliability—critical in a market where safety and uptime are non-negotiable.
“This is more than a supply deal—it’s a long-term strategic foothold in automotive silicon,” said one industry analyst familiar with Samsung’s System LSI roadmap.
With Tesla, Qualcomm, and NVIDIA also battling for dashboard dominance, Samsung’s deal with BMW may be just the beginning of a bigger play.
TL;DR:
BMW has selected Samsung’s Exynos Auto V720 chip to power the infotainment system in its upcoming iX3 EV, expanding Samsung’s reach in the automotive chip market. The 5nm chip will also be used in future BMW models and follows previous Exynos Auto wins with Audi, Volkswagen, and Hyundai.
