The tegra2 design wasn't copied. In fact, the tegra2 is acting different than most other dual core cpu's (for instance: tegra 2 is unable to seperately control its cores). And yes, tegra2 was different with it's GPU (NVidia made some nvidia-only features, trying to get a monopoly on the market with its tegra-only games).
The tegra3 design, as you are stating yourself, is working differently than other quad core cpu's. So, what exactly are they copying?
Are they copy-cats just for implementing more than 2 cores?
Some in-depth information regarding the quad-core design of S4 and Tegra3:
http://www.extremetech.com/computin...n-s4-and-tegra-3-manage-arm-cores-differently
all i have to say is this,
1) what company brought out the worlds first mobile dual core design when no one else was even thinking about it? Nvdia with tegra2
2)what company brought out the worlds first quad core 4+1(really 5 cores) mobile core design when everyone else was stuck on dual core and said quad core wasnt needed? Nvidia with Tegra3. now everyone else wants to retract thier previous statements and come with quad core chips.
Can you see the trend? Nvidia has been setting the bar on new mobile chipset designs and the others follow in suite soon after. Im sticking with Nvidia, PERIOD. no other chip impresses and is praised as much for android than this chip so far.