If we didn't choose smartphones with our eyes, no one would hire designers to create them, right? The appearance, case color, and size matter. When choosing, we also look at the number of cameras, photo quality, or screen size. However, the heart of every smartphone is the processor.
Okay, the Nokia 8110 gained cult status after the premiere of "The Matrix," not because it had a fast processor (because it didn't, after all, we're talking about 1999), but because it looked great. This is the best proof of the above thesis. But surely everyone wants their phone to not lag and not require restarting at random moments, right? An efficient mobile chipset should translate into a smoothly operating interface – even when we launch a lot of apps and games. Let's see how to benchmark smartphone processors.
Smartphone Processor Comparison – What's the Deal with These Cores?
It's the year 2022, the new "Matrix" didn't pass the test, but smartphones are getting better and better. They still look great, but equally interesting things are happening inside. When we see smartphone advertisements, we can often notice grand announcements about the number of processor cores, gigabytes of storage, and RAM. However, an octa-core chipset is not equal to an octa-core chipset. Mobile processors have a specific number of cores (the more, the better), but their clock frequency is also key here. In a nutshell – this is the speed at which such a processor handles all operations.
When we check smartphone processor comparisons, we can encounter designations like 7 nm, 5 nm, etc. This is the technological process by which the manufacturer manufactured a given processor. It is always given in nanometers. The lower the value, the better – such a chipset will be more energy-efficient.
The performance of a smartphone is also influenced by the RAM type (e.g., LPDDR4X) and storage type (e.g., UFS 3.1) supported by the processor. Nowadays, it's also worth checking if a specific variant supports 5G connectivity – access to fast internet will definitely come in handy. We already know what mobile chipsets are made of. It's time for smartphone processor benchmarks.
Apple and its proprietary concept for mobile processors
To start, let's take a look inside the latest iPhones. Apple relies on its own processors – every iPhone with "13" in its name has an Apple A15 Bionic chipset under the hood. It's hexa-core, built using a 5 nm process, and features a four-core GPU (graphics processor). In this case, the aforementioned six cores are enough for the Apple A15 Bionic to often win smartphone processor rankings. Apple is preparing another mobile chipset for the launch of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models. Although the date is not yet set, the smartphones will receive the faster and more energy-efficient A16 mobile chipset. It was created based on a 4 nm technological process.
See also: How to configure an iPhone?
Exynos Processors – What Samsung is Based On
While Samsung relies on its own Exynos processors, it doesn't always. Flagship models are based on proprietary chipsets. A great example is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G with the Samsung Exynos 2100 processor. A very fast and efficient option. The chipset was manufactured using 5 nm technology. It's powered by eight cores with clock speeds of – 1 Cortex-X1 core at 2.9 GHz, three Cortex-A78 cores at 2.80 GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores at 2.2 GHz. Additionally, the Exynos 2100 supports fast UFS 3.1 storage and 5G connectivity. In 2021, this processor definitely made it into the TOP 5.
Since the beginning of 2022, Samsung hasn't slowed down. Samsung's latest solution is the Exynos 2200 processor available in the Galaxy S22 smartphone. Its performance is compared to the equally fresh Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. However, compared to its predecessor, the Exynos 2100, it doesn't necessarily boast extreme performance (5% higher CPU and 17% GPU). However, the significant increase in NPU performance, well over 100%, is impressive. This is thanks to the AI Engine with a dual-core NPU and DSP. Additionally, it is designed to support gaming technologies, which is a significant innovation for mobile devices.
Snapdragon – Do These Dragon Processors Have Power?
Popular Snapdragons are processors manufactured by Qualcomm. They are found in budget models, mid-range devices, and also in the premium segment. Everything depends on the specific chipset and its parameters, i.e., the aforementioned cores, clock speed, etc.
The Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 888+ dominated the smartphone processor rankings in 2021. The model with the plus is more efficient. Both options are competitors to Apple's chipsets from the last two years. Brands such as Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, OPPO, Motorola, Asus, and... even Samsung use them. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is equipped with the Snapdragon 888 processor. Cheaper models (priced under PLN 2000) are successfully supported by the Snapdragon 765. It is equipped with 8 cores with a clock frequency of 1.8-2.4 GHz. It ranks highly in benchmarks, especially for using basic applications.
However, 2022 has seen the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 dominate flagship devices. The chipset is equipped with the incredibly powerful Qualcomm Adreno GPU. It is based on a 4 nm process and ARM V9 cores, thanks to which we can expect 20% higher performance than its predecessors. Energy efficiency has also been significantly boosted, by at least 30 percent. Considering that battery savings have also increased by almost a quarter, this is a strong result. The processor can be integrated with storage and quad-channel RAM. It handles AI very well and also provides a high level of security for digital documents.
MediaTek – Popular, but the Best?
MediaTek processors are used similarly to Snapdragons. We find them in various mobile devices from the lower and mid-range segments. This is the best choice when we prioritize a good price and accessible performance. It should be emphasized here that MediaTek chipsets rarely make it into flagships. When benchmarking smartphone processors in 2021, we wouldn't include MediaTek options in the absolute top tier. However, 2022 might change that. The manufacturer has announced the Dimensity 9000 processor – it's intended to compete with top-tier Snapdragons and the new Exynos.
Kirin – Huawei Has Its Own Processors
The history of Kirin chipsets is currently complicated. Huawei uses these processors, but US sanctions limit their access to them. Before the entire scandal erupted, Kirin processors placed Huawei flagships among the most powerful smartphones. How does it look now?
The Huawei P50 Pro, presented in 2021, was rumored to be equipped with the Kirin 9010 processor manufactured using a 3 nm process. Ultimately, the European version's internals feature... a Snapdragon 888 4G. This is the effect of the sanctions. If this situation ever changes, Kirin chipsets could certainly shake up the market and have a significant impact on mobile processor comparisons in smartphones. We are halfway through 2022, and we are still waiting for Huawei's move.
It's no coincidence that the processor is called the heart of a smartphone. This source of excellent device performance also influences its functionality, price, and lifespan. Therefore, when choosing a phone, it's worth taking off the rose-tinted glasses and looking not only at its design but also at its internals. After all, the internals matter most, right?
See also: What is HarmonyOS?
