The processor is the main mechanism of the computer. When assembling a desktop PC, many people pay attention to this component, since the balance of the entire system depends on its choice. If you choose a smartphone or tablet, then the processor model is no longer so important. Manufacturers in this case focus on the overall performance of the device.
But a comparison of mobile processors in any case will be useful, because it will help to get a general picture of the device’s power and its capabilities. And in the case of laptops, this information will be completely necessary when choosing a laptop.
What it is?
Before touching on the topic of comparing mobile processors, it is worth recalling what it is and what is the difference between this type and the one used in desktop PCs.
A mobile processor is a processor that is developed specifically for mobile devices. This includes not only mobile phones (smartphones), they also include tablets and laptops (including netbooks and other types of laptops).
Difference
Comparison of mobile and desktop processors is a very extensive topic. We can talk about the chips of these devices for a long time. They differ in architecture, a different set of commands and execution algorithms. The manufacturer, developing a line of processors for PCs, is preparing its mobile version for laptops. Therefore, in this case, the difference can be almost imperceptible. But when comparing the processors of mobile phones, you can reveal unexpected results.
For the experiment to be the most accurate, for comparison it is worth taking chips of the middle price segment and the corresponding performance. But so that the versions in smartphones do not lose much to laptops and desktop PCs, you need to compare the top models.
For example, few people know, but iPhone 9 and Samsung S9 differ among high-performance phones. These are the latest released models, which at the moment have acquired top-end mobile processors. A comparison of the performance of both models shows an almost identical result. The only difference is that Samsung works with a large number of cores and at a high frequency.
It was surprising that the budget and even average price model of the laptop was inferior in performance to two smartphones. And while the Intel Core i3-5020U can somehow compete with the flagships, the budget Celeron with the same frequency as Samsung has lost significantly.
In comparison of mobile and desktop processors, a PC wins an unconditional victory. Even with the budget Intel Pentium G3260 office chip, it is ahead of laptop versions and is on par with the Apple A10. But its average price segment Intel Core i5-6400 is definitely the most productive in this comparison. And this despite the fact that this processor is part of the assembly of home universal computers.
Segmentation
Of course, such a comparison is not entirely fair and has quite expected results. It proves once again that desktop PCs are still hard to beat in the pursuit of performance. Choosing a chip for a computer is a separate topic, it requires a lot of time and attention.
In this regard, with the comparison of mobile processors, things are easier. There are not many manufacturers in this segment, in addition, almost the same companies are developing the “stuffing” for smartphones. Therefore, even a special competition can not be found here.
Nevertheless, it is difficult to deny that over the past decade, the performance of smartphones has come close to budget-level desktop PCs. Developers are working to increase the number of cores and computing units. Try to increase the frequency and memory speed. And if the user loves mobile games, then he will definitely look for the fastest and most productive smartphone.
Description of mobile processors
Unlike chips for laptops and PCs, these are developed according to the ARM architecture. Less common are x86 chips. It so happened that mobile processors are a whole complex of tasks. To evaluate their performance, you need to pay attention to the graphics, memory chips and other components of the board.
But only after collecting the data, it is almost impossible to do. For this, special utilities have been developed that allow you to evaluate any mobile system.
For example, the well-known benchmark AnTuTu is, if not the most, then one of the most popular evaluators of the system. In it you can not only test your device for performance, but also see a comparison table of mobile processors for smartphones and tablets. The user immediately receives a notification about where his device is located.
Manufacturers rating
Of course, for the entire existence of smartphones in the market of mobile processors, leaders have already formed. And although making ratings is a thankless task, because there will always be those who will challenge them, there are still five of the best chip makers for smartphones:
- Qualcomm - became popular due to its high performance and cost. The company's top series is called Snapdragon.
- MediaTek is perhaps not as productive as Qualcomm, but is popular due to its wide distribution. Processors are available under the name Helio.
- Apple - could rightfully take the first place, but due to its limitations (it works only in the devices of the company of the same name) it is only in third place.
- Intel - the company is developing processors for PCs and laptops, so it pays little attention to mobile versions.
- nVidia - the processors of this company are very rare. Therefore, only the fifth place in the rating.
Potential
But the rating of manufacturers of mobile processors does not give a real picture of the best chips for smartphones. By 2018, there are three major competitors on the market that can represent the most powerful system. These include: Qualcomm, Samsung Exynos, and Apple.
Most of the future flagships that appear this year will be based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 and Samsung Exynos 9810. Both chips were developed at the beginning of the year. They are made according to the 10-nm process technology and work with cores according to the 4 + 4 scheme. The frequency of the first model was 2.8 GHz, while Exynos operates at 2.9 GHz. Despite the seemingly small difference, it can play a key role in further tests.
The best of the best
But since the comparison of mobile processors from Qualcomm and Samsung is currently only superficial, it is worth mentioning the already existing chips. In the top of the rating is the non-removable Apple A11 and its younger brother A10X. At the moment, these are the two most powerful mobile processors for a smartphone. Released last year. Performed by the 10-nm process technology. The top version works on 4 + 2 cores with a frequency of 2390 MHz. Its previous version has 3 + 3 cores and a frequency of 2380 MHz.
Both models are breathing in the back with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, which, although it has high frequencies (2290 MHz), still turned out to be weaker due to the larger number of cores to which all indicators are distributed. In addition, everyone knows that Apple systems are still considered the most balanced.
Next, it is worth mentioning Samsung Exynos 9 with a frequency of 2290 MHz and HiSilicon Honor KIRIN 970 with a frequency of 2360 MHz. By the way, despite the fact that MediaTek are processors for the middle price segment, one of the models from this manufacturer was still able to get into the top ten most powerful. Helio X30 placed in the flagship Chinese models. The chip works with 4 + 4 + 3 cores at a frequency of 2.5 GHz.
Which is better?
Of course, choosing a smartphone by model and processor specifications is not a good idea. It so happened that the overall performance of the phone is affected not only by the chip, but also by the graphics core, memory chips and other components. Therefore, as you can see, in the ranking of the best processors in the first place are models with lower frequencies than the options below. But due to the fact that all components are ideally suited to each other, complement and do not interfere, the overall power indicator is much higher.
Therefore, when choosing, it is better to be guided by the performance indicators in AnTuTu or other benchmarks. Although it’s not hard to guess that “apple” smartphones are practically unconditional leaders in this race.
Laptop versions
But mobile processors are not only in smartphones and tablets. Also called are the chips that hit laptop cases. Comparing mobile processors for laptops is a snap. In this case, there is practically no difference with desktop models.
If we talk about the middle price segment, then in such laptops, processors are less dependent on other components than in smartphones or tablets. Chips in laptops can independently work and perform the necessary tasks. Sometimes they have a built-in video card, and sometimes they cope with a discrete one.
As in the case of the desktop version, when comparing mobile processors, you need to pay attention to:
- manufacturer;
- energy saving;
- Number of Cores;
- clock frequency;
- built-in cache;
- graphic core.
Almost 100% of the entire mobile chip market is split between AMD and Intel. Both manufacturers are developing chips and entire computer systems. And despite the fact that some companies are trying to join the ranks of sales leaders, both giants in every possible way push not only each other, but also other competitors.
However, most users are interested in comparing Intel mobile processors. So far, it is this company that holds the leading position.
Despite the large number of positive aspects of AMD products, including the cost, the chips from the “red” are known as the “hottest” components of the system.
Intel Mobile
As mentioned earlier, the comparison of the performance of Intel mobile processors is practically no different from the comparison of its desktop versions. All models are divided into series:
- Atom refers to ultra-budget models (netbooks). It has 1-2 cores, it works with frequencies from 1500 to 1870 MHz.
- Celeron - a budget line. Also works on 1-2 cores, but the frequency reaches 2.2 GHz.
- Pentium - an improved budget line with 1-2 cores and a frequency of up to 2.3 GHz. It is considered a "cold" processor with a TDP of 10-18 watts.
- Core i3 runs on two cores and a frequency of 2530 MHz. Got an increased cache size of 3 MB.
- Core i5 - processor from 2 cores and with a frequency of 2660 MHz. I got many useful functions for optimizing the system.
- Core i7 runs on 2-4 cores and a frequency of up to 2.8 GHz. At the third level, the cache is 8 MB.
Marking
To make it easier to compare processors from Intel, it is worth understanding their labeling. Each model has such a universal look: iN-XMMMA. In this case, beech i and N (number) denote the series. For example, i3 or i7. X indicates generation. The higher this indicator, the newer the processor. MMM is a model, A is a feature of the chip.
Features include the availability of integrated graphics, overclocking capabilities, quad-core models, productive graphics, extreme options, etc.
Otherwise, mobile and desktop processors of the same model may slightly differ from each other in terms of frequencies and the availability of technology.