The best processors for smartphones

The performance, speed of operation, and sensor resolution of photo modules of mobile gadgets depend on the characteristics of the microchip that forms the command center system. It can be called a controller responsible for executing user commands. Therefore, the important criterion for choosing a phone is not the screen size or the number of megapixels, but the parameters of the central computing element. To answer the question of which chip is better to choose a device with, the expertpro.techinfus.com/en/ project team conducted comparative tests of different models and made a rating, which included the best processors for smartphones.

Smartphone processor manufacturers

The parameters of the element often depend on the price of the gadget, but this does not mean that when you buy a budget phone, an incapable chipset will be built into it. Manufacturers equip inexpensive smartphones with old-style microchips, which were considered flagships in the recent past. In terms of their characteristics, they are inferior to new models, but they ensure good device performance. The list of companies that make the best mobile processors for smartphones includes the following firms:

• Apple Is an American manufacturer of software, various consumer electronics. The corporation's technology is appreciated for its impeccable quality. Constant tracking of innovations in IT technologies, their introduction into the production process and aesthetic design allows us to consider the corporation's models cult products. The only drawback is their presence only in branded smartphones.
• Qualcomm - American company works in the development and production of mobile chipsets. She became the first manufacturer of such systems. The firm often uses ARM cores and proprietary Adreno GPUs to create them. The lineup includes more than 15 mobile platforms at different prices.
• MediaTek Is a Taiwanese designer of microchips for wireless communications and digital multimedia devices. In terms of quality, they are practically not inferior to Qualcomm's models, but their price is several times lower, which ensures a great demand for products. Famous Chinese companies Lenovo, Xiaomi, Meizu are distinguished among the clients. Selling processors for Android smartphones accounts for half of the brand's revenue.
• HiSilicon Technologies - A Chinese company is developing Kirin chipsets for the Huawei brand. The first models had a number of shortcomings, but since 2024, the implemented updates have made it possible to receive a lot of positive feedback from experts. Among them, the architecture is distinguished, the device of which has provided a reduction in power consumption.
• Samsung - South Korean group of companies produces integrated circuits, household, audio and video equipment, telecommunications equipment. Exynos chipsets are designed for Galaxy smartphones, but the latter comes in two versions. The second uses Qualcomm processors. The firm is the only manufacturer of Android smartphones with elements built on its own architecture.

Rating of processors for smartphones

There are phones with different microchips on the market. Knowing the influence of their characteristics on the functioning of the gadget helps to choose the best. Produce elements based on Cortex, Arm, standard or modified architecture. Most have similar frequencies and number of cores.The main selection criterion is the performance of smartphone processors, so when buying, you need to take into account the amount of RAM and performance. When testing devices from well-known brands, experts from the expertpro.techinfus.com/en/ website took into account the following chipset parameters:

• Technical process;
• Clock frequency;
• The amount of RAM;
• Number of Cores;
• Energy consumption;
• Graphics subsystem type;
• Additional functions.

The top contains a description of 7 models with good performance. Based on the analysis of expert reviews, owners of smartphones with these microchips, the pros and cons of each device are highlighted.

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Best mobile processors with good performance

Chipsets of inexpensive gadgets are inferior in characteristics to more expensive models, but are also capable of launching new games, supporting the simultaneous operation of 2 - 3 applications, and playing good pictures and videos. Mid-priced smartphone elements usually do not offer high performance. However, they are designed to solve most of the daily tasks of the user. The requirements for the flagship stuffing are higher, so manufacturers try to produce models with improved characteristics every year. Which processor is better for a smartphone, the expertpro.techinfus.com/en/ project team determined 15 nominees through comparative tests. Based on their results, 7 microchips were included in the review.

Apple a13 bionic

The chipset is installed in the models of the iPhone11 line and the brand's tablets. Manufactured according to the 7 nm process technology, it consists of 8.5 billion transistors. Includes 2 Lightning and 4 Thunder cores. The powerful elements of the mobile system operate at 2.66 GHz, while the energy efficient ones operate at 1.6 GHz. The innovative technology ensures that certain parts of the microcircuit are switched on for a specific task. The former provide solutions to complex issues, the latter are intended for standard, everyday tasks. The number of cores in the GPU remains unchanged. The L1 cache size is 48 KB, L2 cache is 4 MB. Its performance is 30% higher than that of its predecessor, and power consumption is 40% lower. This allowed to increase the battery life of new gadgets by 1 - 5 hours.

Advantages

• Neural block for machine learning with 8 cores;
• There are no applications that can load the chipset 100%;
• Low energy consumption;
• High-speed performance;
• RAM LPDDR4X.

disadvantages

• Doesn't support 5G networks;
• High price.

According to experts, the distribution of tasks between the cores and the reduction in the size of the used transistors allowed the company to achieve good savings in energy consumption by the nominee. Weaker cores take over the main load, while powerful ones are turned on when needed. At the same time, the owners consider changing the gadget due to the chipset update meaningless, since the performance of the old models is enough to solve any issues.

Snapdragon 865

The best processor for smartphones includes Qualcomm's chip, which, in comparison with the previous nominee, is distinguished by support for 5G networks. The modem provides high wireless performance, good download and upload speeds. OEMs can connect the device to WANs in any form factor. The element is also manufactured at - 7 nm. Its scheme includes the cores of the 64-bit Kryo architecture. Of these, 1 operates with a frequency of 2840 MHz, 3 - with 2420 MHz, 4 - with 1800 MHz. The graphics accelerator Adreno 650 is built into the mobile platform.

Advantages

• Video recording and playback in 8K format;
• Display resolution 3840x2160;
• Download and upload speed is faster than Apple model;
• RAM LPDDR5 up to 16 GB;
• Availability of L3 cache:
• 8 cores;
• Processing 2 gigapixels per second;
• The ability to update the video adapter driver via Google Play.

disadvantages

• L2 cache size - 1 MB.

In the AnTuTu system, which evaluates the main technical parameters and usability of the element, the nominee bypasses the Apple chip by 14%. At the same time, in terms of the power of the central and graphic processor, it is well inferior.The experts point out the main advantages of high energy efficiency, stable operation, a lower price in comparison with the competitor's model.

Helio P25

The processor is used in budget gadgets. Manufactured according to the 14 nm process technology. 8 Cortex-A53 cores provide high performance. Half of them operate at frequencies up to 2.5 GHz, the rest at 1.6 GHz. The manufacturer positions its product as a smartphone chipset with good camera functions and image quality. Video capture resolution is 3840x2160. The Mali-T880 MP2 GPU runs at 900 MB. Supports up to 6GB LPDDR4X RAM.

Advantages

• Support for dual cameras with a resolution of 13 MP;
• 8-core architecture;
• 4K video cropping;
• Bit depth 64 bits;
• Low price;
• Work in LTE networks.

disadvantages

• There are no energy-saving cores;
• Completed according to the old process.

According to the results of synthetic tests, it is noticeable that the nominee lags behind the above-described models of smartphone processors, which is explained by the weaker architecture of the cores. The advantages include the presence of the Envelope Tracking Modulator technology, which provides high performance at low heat.

Buy a gadget with such a mobile platform is recommended for fans of multifunctional cameras with a small budget.

Kirin 990 (5G)

The Chinese manufacturer's mobile platform is designed for flagship gadgets. It is manufactured according to the 7 nm technical process using EUV lithography, which ensures high speed of the devices. It consists of a chip of 8 billion transistors, 8 cores of the ARM architecture. The features of the model include a built-in 5G modem. Compared to the Kirin 980, its power has increased by 10%. Processor-based devices download data over the Internet at speeds up to 2.3 Gbps. Good energy efficiency is guaranteed by the technology of division of tasks between the cores similar to Apple. The former provide solutions to heavy computational tasks, while the latter are responsible for performing less power-intensive operations.

Advantages

• Clock frequency - 2860 MHz;
• Mali G76 MP16 GPU with 16 cores;
• RAM LPDDR4X - up to 12 GB;
• Recording and playback in 8K format;
• High speed of downloading and uploading data.

disadvantages

• L3 cache missing;
• Designed for Huawei smartphones.

In comparative tests, the nominee is inferior to the Snapdragon 865 in many respects. Qualcomm has the best bandwidth, floating point performance, instruction set architecture. The advantages include the speed and frequency of the graphics accelerator, faster data loading.

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Samsung Exynos 9820

The processor consists of 8 cores, the most powerful work at a frequency of 2700 MHz, which ensures high speed of operation. For two less efficient elements, the parameter value is 2300 MHz. The energy efficient cores operate at 1900 MHz. The built-in LTE modem provides data download speeds of up to 2 Gbps, while the return does not exceed 316 Mbps. The graphics accelerator accommodates 12 computing units. A mobile platform is produced at 8 nm. In comparison with the previous models of the brand, productivity has increased by 40%, and energy consumption has decreased by 20 - 30%.

Advantages

• Possibility of simultaneous recording and processing of signals from 5 cameras;
• 4K and 8K video resolution;
• Launch of all modern games;
• L3 cache - 2 MB;
• The bit width is 64 bits.

disadvantages

• Weak throughput;
• Does not support 5G networks.

The benchmark results showed that the nominee's only advantage over the Snapdragon 865 is the GPU frequency. In terms of CPU performance, in games, and energy efficiency, it is significantly inferior even to the Kirin 990 (5G).

Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

The microchip is built according to a 10-n technical process using FineFET technology. It consists of 8 Kryo cores. Powerful cells operate at 2.8 GHz, while energy efficient cells operate at 1.8 GHz.The size of the system cache, which includes 1 MB L2 and 2 MB L3, provides a rare access to the RAM, a good performance increase compared to older versions. GPU Adreno 630 with a frequency of 710 MHz is responsible for the graphics parameters, which guarantees high speed loading and playing games. A special module supports artificial intelligence technology. Video shooting is in Ultra HD format.

Advantages

• Graphics accelerator frequency;
• L3 cache;
• Bit depth - 64 bits;
• Low price;
• Display resolution - 3840x2160.

disadvantages

• A small number of transistors;
• 5G support is not provided.

The processor is used in the assembly of mid-range smartphones. In terms of parameters, it surpasses the flagships only in terms of the frequency of the graphics chipset.

In comparison with models of other brands, the developers highlight the optimization of games for this processor.

Mediatek Helio P90

The product of the Taiwanese manufacturer uses devices at an average price. Created according to the 12 nm process technology, includes 2 high-performance and 6 energy-efficient Cortex cores. Works at a clock frequency of 2200 MHz. In comparison with its predecessor, the new model solves in 4 p. faster than artificial intelligence tasks, the speed of work in games increased by 50%. Supports up to 8GB of RAM, FullHD + screen resolution. At the same time, the main disadvantage is high energy consumption, so when choosing a smartphone with such a component, you need to take into account the battery capacity.

Advantages

• Resolution of cameras;
• Good GPU speed;
• 4K video recording and playback;
• Low price.

disadvantages

• Bit depth - 32 bits;
• The lowest bandwidth in the ranking of processors for smartphones.

The model is positioned as a sub-flagship solution at an affordable price. In the AI ​​performance test, the nominee beats the Kirin 980 and Snapdragon 710. The P series has a good balance of power and power consumption.

Which processor for a smartphone is better

All chipsets for Android are inferior in terms of power to the Apple nominee, but the price of gadgets with such a mobile platform often exceeds the financial capabilities of buyers. Qualcomm's microchips have the best graphics to ensure that any 3D game is played. Even budget models are able to cope with this task at medium settings. It should be borne in mind that flagship processors consume more energy, so the design of the device should include a capacious battery. With a small budget, it is recommended to choose phones with middle class elements. After release, their parameters remain relevant for at least 3 years. On a number of grounds, the following models were recognized as the best review options:

• The most powerful processor for smartphones - Apple A13 Bionic;
• Best RAM and System Cache - Snapdragon 865
• The cheapest is Helio P25;
• Best Clock Speed ​​- Kirin 990 (5G)
• Best mid-priced gadget item - Qualcomm Snapdragon

The performance of a smartphone processor is one of the main criteria for choosing a gadget, but powerful elements consume more energy. For this reason, companies try to balance both parameters, which ensures stable operation of devices.