The processor is one of the main parts of any mobile phone, and when choosing a device, it is important to evaluate this part. The rating of mobile processors will help you understand which one is better. We present it, as well as a list and rating of manufacturers, in this article. Depending on how powerful the processor is installed in the phone, the performance and power of the device largely depend. Let's look at what you need to look for when choosing a processor, and also figure out which chip can be considered good and feel free to choose a phone in which it is installed.

Rating of the best mobile processors for smartphones

	Photo	Name	Rating	Price
#1			⭐ 99 / 100
#2			⭐ 98 / 100
#3			⭐ 97 / 100
#4			⭐ 96 / 100
#5			⭐ 95 / 100
#6			⭐ 94 / 100
#7			⭐ 93 / 100
#1			⭐ 99 / 100
#2			⭐ 99 / 100
#3			⭐ 98 / 100
#4			⭐ 97 / 100
#5			⭐ 96 / 100

We compiled this rating based on independent user ratings and reviews of specialists that are posted on the network for a particular processor. Please note that our site does not cooperate with stores, but only focuses on the opinions of customers and knowledgeable people. We do not claim high accuracy of the list, and the editors' opinions may not coincide with the opinions of other users.

The list below shows the processors that are now most often used in smartphones. They are distinguished by performance and allow you to make your phone powerful and efficient. But the technical characteristics of the devices are different in any case, and they greatly depend on what processor is installed inside the phone. For convenience, we have divided the list into two categories, combining the most powerful chips and those with simpler characteristics. Also at the very bottom you will find a rating of the manufacturers of these parts.

Smartphone processors with good performance

No. 7 - Qualcomm Snapdragon 665

An average-priced processor that has eight cores, is moderately priced and has good performance. Can be installed on both smartphones and tablets.

Technical process 11 nm, frequency - 2200 MHz, release year - 2019. The processor heats up less than its predecessor and also has higher energy efficiency. The improved graphics unit Adreno 640 allows for better graphics and image processing. The processor is divided into two clusters with 2 and 6 cores, respectively. Both clusters can be used at the same time. There is support for a dual-channel LPDDR4 memory controller, Bluetooth 5 and a modem with a good level of data transfer. The main disadvantage is the lack of support for Quick Charge 4 fast charging.

• good energy efficiency
• good performance
• eight cores
• improved graphics unit
• high level of data processing

• does not support Quick Charge 4 level fast charging

Prices for smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor

smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor

No. 6 - Mediatek Helio P90

For a long time, Mediatek was considered far from the best and fairly budget processor, but now the situation on the market has begun to change. The Helio P90 processor is an example of this. It will be able to handle even a flagship phone model, albeit not at the highest level. In any case, the model makes it to the list of the best.

Processor 2018-2019, with a 12 nm process technology, eight-core structure, with a PowerVR GM 9446 video accelerator. Architecture: 2* Cortex-A75 + 6*Cortex A55. To some extent, this processor variant was able to outperform even the Snapdragon 710.

The processor supports up to 8 GB of RAM and works smoothly with a 48 MP camera or two cameras of 16 and 24 MP. It also supports UFS 2.1 solid-state drives and screen resolutions of 2520*1080. There is an adaptation of characteristics to the running application, so that a phone with such a processor will not freeze. But, unfortunately, this device is not very energy efficient.

• many cores
• powerful processor
• RAM support up to 8 GB
• updated block for working with photos
• work with cameras up to 48 MP

• not the most energy efficient
• old generation GPU

Prices for smartphones with Mediatek Helio P90 processor

smartphones with Mediatek Helio P90 processor

No. 5 - Qualcomm Snapdragon 710

The processor for Android is good and productive, but a little short of what it can be installed in flagships. This is the first “seven hundred” in the entire Qualcomm line, suitable for mid-range smartphones.

Released in 2018, has a 10 nm process technology. It has 8 cores, two of which are clocked at 2.2 GHz (ARM Cortex A75), and the remaining six are ARM Cortex A55 clocked at 1.7 GHz. Does not emit much heat energy, productive and efficient. Video accelerator - Adreno 616. The processor allows you to work well with graphics and photos, perfectly processes images from a pair of cameras up to 16 megapixels, shoots in 4K, and is capable of supporting face recognition. Handles powerful games and does not heat up. At the same time, the price of the chipset is quite low. The option also supports Quick Charge 4.

• inexpensive
• consume little energy
• 4K support
• supports Quick Charge 4 fast charging
• eight cores
• facial recognition support

• Does not support camera stabilization

Prices for smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 processor

smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 processor

No. 4 - HiSilicon Kirin 970

The processor is from Huawei, which has eight cores and copes with serious tasks, despite the fact that it was released in 2018. And it was announced, by the way, back in 2017. Two years have passed, and it is still in use - a long time for a processor in modern realities.

The device has a 10 nm process technology, has 4 cores 2.36 GHz (Cortex-A73) and the same number, but with a frequency of 1.84 GHz (Cortex-A53). But compared to its predecessor, this processor model is now capable of downloading data from the network at a higher speed. The Mali G72 MP12 is responsible for the graphics; it also allows you to run fairly heavy games that require high performance. The processor also has the ability to “train” the phone.

• can train a smartphone
• loads data quickly
• handles games that require high performance
• eight cores
• greater productivity and energy efficiency
• Support 4K video recording and playback

• unknown

Prices for smartphones with HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor

smartphones with HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor

No. 3 - Qualcomm Snapdragon 712

Announced in 2019, the processor is updated and quite powerful than its predecessor 710. Performance has increased by about 10%. Artificial intelligence technologies are fully implemented.

The model has eight cores with a frequency of 2.3 GHz, a 10 nm process technology. Support for excellent graphics quality is provided by Adreno 616. TrueWireless Stereo Plus and Broadcast Audio technologies are also implemented, which will allow you to get excellent sound when using wireless headphones. And in games, a smartphone with such a processor will sound better than with its predecessors. In addition, the processor supports the ability to use the Quick Charge 4+ function. It can also work with a camera of up to 32 megapixels or a double variation of up to 20 megapixels. AI technologies make it possible for the phone to adapt to the shooting conditions. The photos are of high quality, even if you take several pictures at once.

• provides high quality shooting
• makes it possible to realize high-quality sound
• supports Quick Charge 4+
• high performance

• not detected

Prices for smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 processor

smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 processor

No. 2 - HiSilicon Kirin 810

Good and fast processor from Huawei. It consumes little energy and takes good positions in the ratings, outperforming even the TOP Snapdragon 855 in some parameters (in the artificial intelligence performance test).

Release date: summer 2019. Technological process - 7 nm. It has eight cores, two of which are considered high-performance (Cortex-A76) and have a frequency of 2.27 GHz, and six are energy-efficient (Cortex-A55) with a frequency of 1.88 GHz. GPU type Mali-G52, which, thanks to the presence of special technology, allows you to speed up the processor when launching games. A device with such a processor can easily take pictures in the dark. Used in mid-priced Huawei and Honor smartphones.

• doesn't heat up much
• allows you to process photos in the dark
• high data processing speed
• used in low-cost smartphones
• in a number of characteristics competes with TOP processors

• Doesn't allow you to shoot in 4K

Prices for smartphones with HiSilicon Kirin 810 processor

smartphones with HiSilicon Kirin 810 processor

No. 1 - Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G

A mid-range processor with eight cores, the development of which focused on improving the quality of intelligence and performance. The model copes well with complex tasks when compared with earlier versions.

The processor has 2 cores with a frequency of 2.2 GHz (this is ARM Cortex-A76) and 6 cores of the ARM Cortex-A55 type, with a frequency of 1.8 GHz. The device contains Adreno 618 graphics. 7 nm process technology.

The model is aimed at installation in gaming phones (this is indicated by the letter G in the model name). The processor has successfully passed testing in this direction. In short, it is suitable for any gaming smartphone. Moreover, it makes it possible to play even online games without difficulty - it has the ability to connect to Wi-Fi as a priority.

• allows you to play games
• designed for installation in gaming smartphones
• productive
• increased level of AI performance

• not detected

Prices for smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor

smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor

Reviews of smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor

The most powerful processors

No. 5 - HiSilicon Kirin 980

One of the best processors installed in modern smartphones. Developed by Huawei and regularly receives positive reviews. This is the first processor on the market to use Cortex-A76 cores, easily overclocked to 2.6 GHz, and the first designed to use the 7 nm process.

The device was released in 2018. The technical process is 7 nm, there are eight cores inside, with 4 Cortex A55, and four Cortex A76 (energy efficient, mid-performance and high-performance). Flex-Scheduling technology understands when to use which of them, which made this processor one of the best. Graphics - Mali-G76 MP10, allows you to automatically increase the clock frequency in the game.

This processor is the optimal balance of performance and energy efficiency. The model supports LPDDR4X RAM and transfers data at download speeds of up to 1.4 Gbit/s. Camera shots in smartphones with such a processor turn out excellent. The chipset can work with 48 MP cameras or two 22 MP cameras.

• great gaming processor
• smart load distribution across cores
• support for working with powerful RAM
• support for the new high standard Wi-Fi
• excellent video and photo quality

• slightly weaker than competitors

Prices for smartphones with HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor

smartphones with HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor

No. 4 - Samsung Exynos 9820

Processor for Samsung flagships, which was released in 2019. A chipset with top performance indicators that will allow it to be used in gaming smart phones for several more years. This processor is installed in the Samsung Galaxy S10 phone.

Year of release - 2019, 8 nm process technology, Mali-G76 graphics unit has 12 cores, which provide high performance in games. The processor itself has eight cores, Custom, Cortex A75 and Cortex A55. It is considered one of the most powerful.

Machine learning technology has been fully implemented, and it works faster than previously released models. The chipset also does an excellent job of processing photos and videos from multiple cameras, recognizes faces, and allows you to record video in 8K format (30 frames/s). Data security is also increased to the maximum.

• huge productivity
• support 8K video recording
• improved learning technology
• gives high performance in games
• uses energy sparingly
• support for 4K displays

• 8 nm process technology

Prices for smartphones with Samsung Exynos 9820 processor

smartphones with Samsung Exynos 9820 processor

No. 3 - Apple A12 Bionic

This processor gets top marks in many ratings. It has excellent technical characteristics and ensures that the smartphone works without freezing.

The 2018 chipset model has a 7 nm process technology, with six cores, including Monsoon and Mistral (energy-efficient and high-performance). It uses the battery carefully, manages to quickly solve a lot of problems at once, and thanks to the FaceID function, it easily recognizes faces, and it doesn’t matter whether the person is wearing a hat or glasses. Video accelerator - Apple GPU, which has 4 cores. FOR the summer of 2019, this was the most powerful option in terms of graphics. The device even allows you to create 3D photos.

• economics energy
• easily recognizes faces
• works very fast
• ideal for games
• powerful graphics performance

Prices for smartphones with Apple A12 Bionic processor

smartphones with Apple A12 Bionic processor

No. 2 - Apple A13 Bionic

The latest processor from Apple, which is installed in the latest smartphones from the Apple company. It has the highest performance, is economical, and there is no application yet that would load it to its full capacity.

Year of release - 2019, technical process - 7 nm, has six cores - Lightning at 2660 MHz and 4 Thunder at 1600 MHz (high-performance and energy-efficient), and also has 4 graphics cores. AI is capable of processing up to 1 trillion operations per second. By the way, compared to the model described above, this chipset consumes much less energy, but turned out to be 20% more powerful and even 30% more energy efficient than the Apple A12.

• improved AI
• increased efficiency indicators
• saves energy consumption
• There are no applications yet that can fully load the processor
• performs a lot of tasks at the same time
• ideal from a machine learning point of view

• used exclusively by Apple

Prices for smartphones with Apple A13 Bionic processor

smartphones with Apple A13 Bionic processor

Reviews of smartphones with Apple A13 Bionic processor

No. 1 - Qualcomm Snapdragon 855

A processor that competes with the Apple A13 Bionic and does not want to give it first place. But we put it as the leader of the rating only because it can be used on other phones, and not just on Apple smart phones, and it costs less. Moreover, in some respects this option even outperforms the Apple processor.

The processor model was released in 2019. Technological process - 7 nm. 8 cores, of which 4 are Kryo 485 Silver, 4 are Kryo 485 Gold. This, by the way, is a feature of the device - there is no breakdown into 2 quads. A core with a frequency of 2.84 GHz is used for solving complex tasks, and three cores of average performance at 2.42 GHz are used for working with photographs. There are also four 1.8 GHz cores, which are considered energy efficient, and the processor uses them to solve simple everyday tasks.

The processor supports 5G, has a high level of intelligence, easily works with videos and photos, has an ultrasonic scanner that cannot yet be hacked, which means data security is at the highest level. By the way, a device with such a processor can recognize fingerprints even in very difficult conditions (for example, in the rain). It also easily distinguishes the voice of a person on the street, even with increased background noise.

• highest gaming performance
• used on Android
• supports video up to 8K
• work with 5G
• allows you to take high-quality photographs
• high level of data security
• high-quality audio focus from the voice assistant

• not detected

Prices for smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor

smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor

Video - Snapdragon 855 vs Kirin 980

Mobile processor manufacturers

	Photo	Name	Rating	Price
#1			⭐ 99 / 100
#2		Apple	⭐ 99 / 100
#3			⭐ 98 / 100
#4			⭐ 97 / 100
#5			⭐ 96 / 100

Now let's see which companies produce mobile processors and which of them are trusted. Here we will talk about five companies. Let us remind you that the opinion of the authors of the material may not coincide with the opinion of buyers of a particular smartphone. The most common manufacturers now are:

• Samsung (Exynos chipsets);
• Huawei (HiSilicon brand, Kirin processor);
• Apple (the same name for processors);
• Qualcomm (Snapdragon, famous and powerful);
• MediaTek (Helio brand).

It is impossible to say right away and definitely whose chipsets are better. But there are certain leaders in this area, and this is undeniable.

No. 5 - Mediatek

A company from China that produces good processors used to create smartphones. Mainly for budget gadgets.

The company entered the market in 1997 and previously worked with wireless technologies and also dealt with various data storage systems. The products are high-quality, reliable, and at the same time quite affordable. By the way, this company developed the first 10-core PC processor. But it is also actively involved in the production of chipsets for phones.

Previously, processors for phones from this company did not inspire confidence, but now the situation has changed - the company is confidently in the TOP of the best manufacturers. It is actively developing, its products are successfully passing various tests. Basically, its processors are installed in budget versions of smartphones, which at the same time have good technical characteristics.

• inexpensive products
• active development
• high performance
• processors are installed in budget smartphones

• there is still a “bad” reputation

No. 4 - Samsung

The company produces good processors called Exynos, which it uses in its smartphones. It doesn't draw attention to technology upgrades, but the products speak for themselves - phones based on Samsung chipsets work great and are highly productive.

The production of processors is one of the most important niches of the entire company. All models were used in one or another smartphone from Samsung, and as practice shows, they can be trusted, they are reliable, and productive. Sometimes there are performance issues.

By the way, Samsung is the only one that produces smart phones on Android and at the same time uses processors exclusively on its own Mongoose architecture.

• high performance chipsets
• used in Samsung smartphones
• high reliability
• own architecture

• sometimes there are problems with efficiency

No. 3 - HiSilicon

This company is based in China and produces the powerful Kirin processors used in smartphones from Huawei. It is a sub-brand of Huawei. It is a fabless-free company that generally develops all kinds of semiconductor products. Of course, the digital area of ​​activity deserves special attention.

Now the company is actively developing and has already opened its branches even in the USA and Sweden. She has developed more than 100 types of all kinds of electronic chips, and she has received more than 500 patents. Whatever one may say, Kirin processors are considered one of the best.

• some of the best processors
• chipsets are installed in powerful smartphones
• the company is actively developing
• a lot of developments belong to this company

• not detected

No. 2 - Apple

Apple

Apple is a company recognized as one of the best in the world both in the production of smartphones and in the production of processors for them. Moreover, it installs exclusively its own chipsets in its phones.

Undoubtedly, many would like to put the company in first place, but it has a significant drawback: the products are very expensive, although they are considered effective and of high quality. The same can be said about Apple processors. They are high-performance, reliable, efficient, handle heavy games and are capable of performing millions of tasks at once. But they are installed only on devices from Apple and are not considered cheap.

• one of the best on the market
• own development of processors
• perfect chipset performance
• reliability

• expensive
• processors are used only in Apple products

No. 1 - Qualcomm

A manufacturer that we deservedly put in first place. In terms of development and creation of the latest designs, it is a real champion in the market, despite the use of standard configuration cores.

The company appeared on the market in 1985, previously producing only navigation modules, various phones and devices that work wirelessly. It then grew into the largest manufacturer of smartphone processors. The company creates processors both for flagships, which are very powerful and energy efficient, easily competing with chipsets from Apple, and models for mid-range phones. Moreover, in both cases, the prices for the company’s products are quite acceptable. The top processor models are called Snapdragon. We talked about them above.

• ideal chip performance
• competes with Apple
• high product efficiency
• reliability
• moderate cost

• not detected

Video - Comparison of ALL QUALCOMM Processors

What determines the performance of smartphones?

The performance of any smartphone (and now this is one of the most important requirements for a purchased gadget) depends on a lot of factors. Among them are good RAM, an excellent graphics adapter and, of course, a powerful processor. Depending on what “stuffing” is installed in the device, its overall operating speed, the ability to work in several applications at once, the quality of pictures and videos, gaming performance, and so on are determined. Most of these factors depend specifically on the processor installed inside.

Modern smart models are produced based on ARM processors. Now options are being created that have a large number of cores and a low technical process, while in terms of quality and power a number of processors are not inferior to the chips found in PCs and laptops.

Processor architecture

When assessing the quality of a processor, such a concept as its architecture is used. This is a quantitative component showing which components and in what quantities were used to create the chip. For mobile devices, two types of processor architectures are used - ARM or x86. The set of commands controlled by the chip also depends on which option is used.

Table. Types of processor architecture.

Architecture type	Description
ARM	This architecture uses a set of RISC instructions, consisting of simple variants of tasks, but at the same time allows you to build and create systems with high energy efficiency. The development of this architecture is carried out by the company of the same name ARM Limited. Another company is producing chips based on these cores. This could be Apple, Samsung, Qualcomm and others. The cores developed by ARM belong to the Cortex line. A small set of instructions leads to reduced energy consumption. ARM chips have few transistors. But at the same time, the processor performance is very high.
x86	It uses a set of more complex CISC commands, which during operation are broken down into simpler ones, and then executed by the chips. By the way, PC processors created by Intel and AMD work on the same architecture. x86 is used less often than ARM when creating processors for mobile devices.

A system on a chip, or SoC, is a highly integrated chip with execution units. It houses: processor cores, graphics cores, a multimedia unit, photo-video, audio and more. Now almost any self-respecting company uses an ARM license and independently assembles an SoC to suit its requirements.

Qualcomm has remained a recognized champion in development for several years, although it uses standard core configurations with ARM architecture. It modifies them, combines them, adds a graphics core of its own design and produces a wide range of SoCs.

For simple smartphones.

Qualcomm does not make mobile phones and does not have its own chip factories. In fact, it is not much different from ARM Limited, except for a few “buts”. A staff of engineers independently develops communication modules, multimedia blocks, etc. Next, the finished SoCs are transferred to partners for production. They could be TSMC or Samsung.

The junior SoC series includes 4-8 core processors with frequencies from 1.4 to 1.8 GHz. Built-in Adreno 3/5 graphics and support for LPDDR3 memory.

Name	Number of cores	Frequency	Core type	Architecture	Memory	GPU
Snapdragon 450	8	1.8 GHz	A53	ARMv8-A	LPDDR3 1 channel 933 MHz	Adreno 506
Snapdragon 435	8	1.4 GHz	A53	ARMv8-A	LPDDR3 1 channel 800 MHz	Adreno 505
Snapdragon 427	4	1.4 GHz	A53	ARMv8-A	LPDDR3 1 channel 667 MHz	Adreno 308

ARM is the king of mobile processors

If you thought that the name ARM is the manufacturer of all mobile processors, then you are mistaken. This is a small company (ARM Limited) that develops the design and logic of the cores, and does not even produce them themselves, but only sells licenses for use. She does this so well that her services are used by the giants of the IT industry (Apple, AMD, Intel, Samsung and others). It was Apple that required a powerful and economical processor for its Newton PDA product, which served as a catalyst for the development of relations between the companies. No, of course, ARM Limited imagined how they would conquer the markets with their invention, but until the end of the 80s, their innovations were overshadowed by x86 processors. In addition, the collapse of several large companies using the RISC architecture (the basis of ARM) only added drama to subsequent events.

The real takeover of all markets came with the release of the iPhone 2G with its Samsung S3C6400 ARM processor. And subsequent imitators of Apple's success only strengthened ARM's position. Now, the total number of SoCs using the ARM architecture exceeds the number of x86 processors sold in 5-7 years. In other words, ARM development is 2-3 times faster than that of PC processors. There are many explanations for this: x86 processors have long hit the frequency limit and minimum technical standards. process. For the next evolutionary step and because of a different architecture, they will require complex lithographic circuits, and ARM is good because it is easily scalable and has a finite length of executable instructions.

For mid-priced mobile phones

The 6xx series, which consists exclusively of 8-core processors, has become not very popular SoCs. The reason for this was high prices for microcircuits. It’s easier for smartphone manufacturers to pay extra and buy more advanced 8xx series SoCs, which are the pinnacle of the evolution of mobile processors from Qualcomm.

Name	Number of cores	Frequency	Core type	Architecture	Memory	GPU
Snapdragon 660	4+4	2.2+1.84 GHz	A53C+A53C	ARMv8-A	LPDDR4 2 channels 1866 MHz	Adreno 512
Snapdragon 636	4+4	1.8 GHz	A53C+A53C	ARMv8-A	LPDDR4 2 channels 1333 MHz	Adreno 509
Snapdragon 630	4+4	2.2+1.8 GHz	A53+A53	ARMv8-A	LPDDR4 2 channels 1333 MHz	Adreno 508
Snapdragon 653	4+4	1.95+1.44 GHz	A72+A53	ARMv8-A	LPDDR3 2 channels 933 MHz	Adreno 510
Snapdragon 626	8	2.2 GHz	A53	ARMv8-A	LPDDR3 1 channel 933 MHz	Adreno 506
Snapdragon 625	8	2.0 GHz	A53	ARMv8-A	LPDDR3 1 channel 933 MHz	Adreno 506

For the most expensive smartphones

If you are looking for and choosing a smartphone for yourself, then you can safely take the older SoC 810 or 820(1). At the same time, we should not forget that they had one small problem - they got pretty hot under load and quickly went into energy saving mode. Otherwise, the 8xx performance level has always remained unattainable for competitors. Although we are partly disingenuous, because Apple has been able to compete with Qualcomm on equal terms for many years, but this is a topic for another discussion.

Qualcomm SoC performance

Snapdragon 435 1950 442 Snapdragon 427 1828 173

The recently announced SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 will be replaced by the Snapdragon 855. The 845 chip has yet to find its way into top-end mobile phones, and it is already being replaced by the 855, about which we know very little. Presumably Qualcomm will change its contract manufacturing plant from Samsung to TSMC. For the manufacture of SoCs, 7 nm technology and possibly a different type of transistors are being introduced, the essence of which is to increase the level of energy efficiency and improve the performance per watt. The new Snapdragon X24 modem will increase data transfer speeds in LTE networks to 2 Gbps. Today's modem results in the Snapdragon 845 are only 1.2 Gbps. And for now this is all the data shared by insiders.

Which Snapdragon processor is better? To answer the question, we will compare current models of Qualcomm chipsets, which can be found not only in old smartphones, but also in phones produced in 2017. First, we will compare the characteristics of Snapdragon processors and talk about the key features of each model, after which we will confirm our predictions regarding operating speed with the results of testing smartphones in popular benchmarks.

Characteristics of Snapdragon processors

The key characteristics of any processor are the manufacturing process, the architecture of the central processor cores, the number of cores and their clock speed, as well as the graphics accelerator of the chipset. These specifications should be given the closest attention.

The heating of the smartphone, the degree of its susceptibility to throttling (a drop in clock frequency under load) and the operating time of the smartphone on a single charge depend on the technical process. The “smaller” the technological process, the more economically the chipset uses the battery.

The architecture of the cores, their number and clock frequency affect the speed of operation. Powerful cores, particularly Cortex A72 or Kryo, consume more power but perform many more operations per clock. Simply put, they are faster. Economical cores, which include cores based on the Cortex A53 architecture, are designed to solve simple tasks. They do not consume the battery as aggressively, but they also work slower with processes.

Snapdragon processors: technical specifications

	430	625	650	820
Technical process	28 nm	14 nm	28 nm	14 nm
Number of Cores	8	8	6	4
Processor architecture	8x ARM Cortex A53	8x ARM Cortex A53	2x ARM Cortex A72+ 4x ARM Cortex A53	4x Kryo CPU
Clock frequency	up to 1.4 GHz	up to 2.0 GHz	up to 1.8 GHz	up to 2.15 GHz
Graphics accelerator	Adreno 505 GPU	Adreno 506 GPU	Adreno 510 GPU	Adreno 530 GPU
LTE modem	LTE Cat.4 download 150 Mbps transmission up to 50 Mbit/s	LTE Cat.13/7 download 300 Mbps transmission up to 150 Mbit/s	LTE Cat.7 download 300 Mbps transmission up to 100 Mbit/s	LTE Cat.13/12 download 600 Mbps transmission up to 150 Mbit/s

The number of processor cores affects the speed of the phone in multitasking mode. If the cores are built on the same architecture, then the more there are, the better. But when switching to a new architecture, the rule no longer works.

Smartphones with a quad-core Snapdragon 820 processor are faster than 8-core phones built on previous generations of chipsets. The difference in speed is explained by the fact that the improved cores perform more operations per unit of time, due to which they confidently outperform their “slow” predecessors.

The graphics adapter determines the speed of the smartphone in games and when working with 3D graphics. Qualcomm Snapdragon processors use different generations of Adreno graphics, which are a priori characterized by high performance. Updated versions of the adapter with a larger index are faster than their predecessors, which affects the framerate. This will be clearly visible from the benchmark results.

Key features of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors

In this part of the article we talk about the key features of various models of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in terms of efficiency, operating speed and degree of heating when solving complex (and not so complex) problems.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 430

Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 is the weakest chipset on our list. Its only advantage is its low cost. Manufacturers who want to offer the buyer an inexpensive smartphone choose this chipset as a compromise solution.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor is built on 8 reference Cortex A53 cores, which operate at a very low frequency by modern standards 1.4 GHz. Accordingly, you can forget about the high speed of the smartphone even before purchasing it. Graphics accelerator Adreno 505 also grazes the rear ones. It will still allow you to play at minimum settings, but the framerate will be low.

Since the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 is manufactured using a 28 nm process, it drains the battery relatively quickly for such a slow processor. Compare battery life ratings and . Due to the same technical process, heating in games and when working with heavy applications will be noticeable.

Snapdragon 625 processor

Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 is a very interesting chipset, in a sense, even cool. Of course, we are not talking about cosmic speeds here; the main advantage of the model is extremely low energy consumption with an almost complete absence of heating and throttling.

Excellent energy efficiency is explained by the fact that the Snapdragon 625 processor is manufactured using a modern 14 nm process technology. For the same reason, he always remains cold, even in games. Graphics accelerator power Adreno 506 Enough for playing at minimum and medium settings.

The speed of the central processor is not prohibitive, but higher than that of the S430. The performance of the smartphone is also higher - Android will run smoothly, and there should be no problems with applications, at least if the Snapdragon 625 is paired with at least 3 GB of RAM. ( .)

Snapdragon 650 processor

Compared to the Qualcomm Snapdragon processors that we reviewed earlier, the 650 Dragon is almost a champion in terms of speed. This is explained by the fact that the processor architecture uses improved Cortex A72 cores. Yes, the total number of cores is smaller, but by performing more operations per clock cycle, the processor runs much faster, as do the phones built on it.

A graphics accelerator gives a performance boost in games Adreno 510. When compared to the Snapdragon 625 and 430 processors, the difference is obvious. You will find the comparison results at the end of the publication in GFX benchmarks. The frame rate in games will be higher, and you can play not only at medium, but also at maximum settings.

The disadvantage of the Snapdragon 650 processor is that it is produced according to the 28 nm process technology. Because of this, the chipset gets very hot and drops frequencies under heavy load, including in 3D toys. This feature should be taken into account by those who like to play for a long time and do not want to experience a drop in fps. Battery consumption is also higher, and the battery life of the smartphone is shorter.

A few words about Snapdragon 652. It differs from the 650 model in the increased number of cores to eight, with additional cores built on the Cortex A72 architecture (powerful). Thanks to this, it is even faster, although it does not reach the S820. The disadvantages due to the 28 nm process technology are the same - throttling and high battery consumption.

Snapdragon 820/821 processors

Qualcomm Snapdragon 820/821 - top chipsets of 2016. Their strengths are high operating speed and relatively low battery consumption, as for fast processors. The chipsets are equipped with the Adreno 530 graphics accelerator, which last year broke records and outperformed almost all competitors.

If you need a very fast smartphone, or if you want to play heavy games at maximum framerates, smartphones with a quad-core Snapdragon 820 processor are an excellent choice. Excellent, but not without its shortcomings. The problem is that smartphones based on the Snapdragon 820, despite the 14 nm manufacturing process, are susceptible to overheating, and they sometimes heat up to uncomfortable temperatures.

Qualcomm engineers tried to solve the problem in one of the versions of the Snapdragon 821. The “cold” version of the S821 received the AB index, and it operates at the same reference frequencies as the S820. Smartphones with a quad-core Snapdragon 821 processor are not always faster than 820 Dragon phones, but they can be cooler. In a sense, this is even better, because the 820 is already fast enough.

The Snapdragon 821 version with the non-AB index is a processor overclocked to 2.3 GHz on the same architecture and with the same number of cores (4 Kryo CPU cores). An example of a smartphone with a 4-core Snapdragon 821 non-AB processor. For comparison, or are built on the Snapdragon 821, which operates at reference frequencies without increasing processing power.

Snapdragon 835 processors

The latest Snapdragon 835 chipset is a blast in terms of performance. In this publication we will not talk about it in detail, because a special material is devoted to comparing the S835 and S821 processors.

Snapdragon processors: comparison in benchmarks

Let's move on to comparing Snapdragon processors in popular benchmarks. There will be a lot of charts below that may not display correctly in older browsers and some built-in browsers on mobile platforms. If you encounter this problem, open the publication in the current build of Mozilla, Opera or Chrome.

A few explanations about the benchmarks. GeekBench evaluates the power of the central processor, which affects the smooth operation of the operating system.

Snapdragon processors in GeekBench 4 (multi-core)

Snapdragon processors in GeekBench 4 (single-core)

In Antutu and BaseMark OS 2.0 we compare the overall speed of the smartphone.

Snapdragon processors in AnTuTu 6

Snapdragon processors in BaseMark OS 2.0

GFX tests evaluate the power of the graphics accelerator, which correlates with the speed of working with 3D graphics and frame rates in games.

GFX 3.1 Manhattan

GFX 3.1 Car Scene

Snapdragon processor comparison: summary

Any conclusions or comments on the test results are unnecessary; all that remains is to summarize the above and highlight the key features of Snapdragon processors:

1. Snapdragon 430: a budget option, a compromise between the comfort of using the phone and its cost.
2. S625: the best choice for those who need a cool smartphone with high battery life.
3. S650/652: a good option for gamers and those looking for a fast and inexpensive smartphone.
4. S820: a very fast chipset that will last for a couple of years. Smartphones with a quad-core S820/S821 processor are not cheap, although there are affordable options.
5. S835: the best processor at the time of publication.

New publications

ARM processor is a mobile processor for smartphones and tablets.

This table shows all currently known ARM processors. The table of ARM processors will be supplemented and upgraded as new models appear. This table uses a conditional system for evaluating CPU and GPU performance. ARM processor performance data was taken from a variety of sources, mainly based on the results of tests such as: PassMark, Antutu, GFXBench.

We do not claim absolute accuracy. Absolutely accurately rank and evaluate the performance of ARM processors impossible, for the simple reason that each of them has advantages in some ways, but in some ways lags behind other ARM processors. The table of ARM processors allows you to see, evaluate and, most importantly, compare different SoCs (System-On-Chip) solutions. Using our table, you can compare mobile processors and it’s enough to find out exactly how the ARM heart of your future (or present) smartphone or tablet is positioned.

Here we have compared ARM processors. We looked at and compared the performance of CPU and GPU in different SoCs (System-on-Chip). But the reader may have several questions: Where are ARM processors used? What is an ARM processor? How does ARM architecture differ from x86 processors? Let's try to understand all this without going too deep into details.

First, let's define the terminology. ARM is the name of the architecture and at the same time the name of the company leading its development. The abbreviation ARM stands for (Advanced RISC Machine or Acorn RISC Machine), which can be translated as: advanced RISC machine. ARM architecture combines a family of both 32 and 64-bit microprocessor cores developed and licensed by ARM Limited. I would like to note right away that the ARM Limited company is exclusively engaged in the development of kernels and tools for them (debugging tools, compilers, etc.), but not in the production of the processors themselves. Company ARM Limited sells licenses for the production of ARM processors to third parties. Here is a partial list of companies licensed to manufacture ARM processors today: AMD, Atmel, Altera, Cirrus Logic, Intel, Marvell, NXP, Samsung, LG, MediaTek, Qualcomm, Sony Ericsson, Texas Instruments, nVidia, Freescale... and many more other.

Some companies that have received a license to produce ARM processors create their own versions of cores based on ARM architecture. Examples include: DEC StrongARM, Freescale i.MX, Intel XScale, NVIDIA Tegra, ST-Ericsson Nomadik, Qualcomm Snapdragon, Texas Instruments OMAP, Samsung Hummingbird, LG H13, Apple A4/A5/A6 and HiSilicon K3.

Today they work on ARM-based processors virtually any electronics: PDA, mobile phones and smartphones, digital players, portable game consoles, calculators, external hard drives and routers. They all contain an ARM core, so we can say that ARM - mobile processors for smartphones and tablets.

ARM processor represents a SoC, or "system on a chip". An SoC system, or “system on a chip,” can contain in one chip, in addition to the CPU itself, the remaining parts of a full-fledged computer. This includes a memory controller, an I/O port controller, a graphics core, and a geopositioning system (GPS). It may also contain a 3G module, as well as much more.

If we consider a separate family of ARM processors, say Cortex-A9 (or any other), we cannot say that all processors of the same family have the same performance or are all equipped with a GPS module. All these parameters strongly depend on the chip manufacturer and what and how he decided to implement in his product.

What is the difference between ARM and X86 processors?? The RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture itself implies a reduced set of instructions. Which accordingly leads to very moderate energy consumption. After all, inside any ARM chip there are much fewer transistors than its counterpart from the x86 line. Don't forget that in an SoC system all peripheral devices are located inside a single chip, which allows the ARM processor to be even more energy efficient. The ARM architecture was originally designed to calculate only integer operations, unlike x86, which can work with floating point calculations or FPU. It is impossible to clearly compare these two architectures. In some ways, ARM will have an advantage. And somewhere it’s the other way around. If you try to answer the question in one phrase: what is the difference between ARM and X86 processors, then the answer will be this: the ARM processor does not know the number of commands that the x86 processor knows. And those that do know look much shorter. This has both its pros and cons. Be that as it may, lately everything suggests that ARM processors are beginning to slowly but surely catch up, and in some ways even surpass conventional x86 processors. Many openly declare that ARM processors will soon replace the x86 platform in the home PC segment. As we already know, in 2013 several world-famous companies completely abandoned the further production of netbooks in favor of tablet PCs. Well, what will actually happen, time will tell.

We will monitor the ARM processors already available on the market.

Qualcomm is a well-known developer of chipsets for mobile devices. Its arsenal includes processors for smartphones of all price categories. In the upper price niche, the company is the leading supplier of SoCs for phones; in the middle, it also has an impressive market share, and only in the budget category are Taiwanese competitors represented by MediaTek.

Qualcomm chipsets are usually equipped with a special Hexagon DSP (digital signal processor). It is responsible for processing voice, sound, and sensor readings in order to reduce the load on the main cores and optimize power consumption.

Our article will tell you what current processors are in the Qualcomm lineup at the beginning of 2017. The material does not consider discontinued and rare products, like the Snapdragon S4, but is dedicated only to those found in smartphones that are being sold or are about to be sold.

Chipsets for very inexpensive smartphones (under $100) are clearly not the company’s strong point. However, Qualcomm has plenty of budget chips in its arsenal. Traditionally, they come out under model numbers 200 and 400 series.

Snapdragon 200

An old budget processor, available in 4 versions. All of them have 4 cores made using the 28 nm process (the earlier ones were made using the 45 nm process), but differ in the type of these cores, as well as graphics. The 2 models with 1.4 GHz have Cortex A5 microarchitecture (32-bit) and Adreno 203 graphics, clocked at 300 MHz and with a performance of 9 GFLOPS (billions of floating point calculations per second). Models with a frequency of 1.2 GHz are equipped with Cortex A7 cores (also 32 bits) and Adreno 302 graphics (400 MHz, 12 GFLOPS).

All chipsets in the series are equipped with a single-channel LPDDR2 controller (300 MHz). Displays with resolutions up to 1280x720 pixels are supported. This chipset does not have an ISP, so the camera resolution depends on what the external image processor supports (Qualcomm usually uses an ISP made by Texas Instruments). The modem works with Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz networks, GSM, CDMA and HSPA operators, depending on the version (no LTE).

The maximum camera resolution that the chipset can support is 8 megapixels.

Snapdragon 210

This is a development of the previous model; the processor is produced according to 28 nm standards. It has 4 Cortex A7 1.1 GHz cores, Adreno 304 graphics. Its frequency is 400 MHz, performance is 21 GFLOPS.

The memory controller supports LPDDR3 and LPDDR2 chips up to 533 MHz. The display controller is designed for resolutions up to 1280x720; there is no image processor in the chip. The modem is designed for Wi-Fi networks 2.4 GHz, GSM, HSPA, CDMA and LTE Cat. 4.

The maximum camera resolution supported by the chipset is 8 megapixels. There is even support for second generation fast charging technology. This is an old technology that, on paper, allows you to charge smartphones in less than three hours, but in practice, the chipset in question is unlikely to be found in a smartphone with second-generation fast charging from Qualcomm.

Snapdragon 410

A processor for smartphones of a higher class than the 200th model. Based on 64-bit architecture, but produced according to the same 28 nm standards. Has 4 Cortex A53 cores up to 1.4 GHz. Graphics processing is handled by the Adreno 306 GPU, with a frequency of 400 MHz and a performance of 21 GFLOPS.

The chipset is equipped with a single-channel LPDDR2/3 (533 MHz) RAM controller. The display resolution can reach FullHD 1920×1080 pixels. There is no built-in ISP; cameras up to 13 MP are usually supported. The radio module supports Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz, cellular networks up to LTE Cat. 4.

The maximum supported camera resolution is 13.5 MP. Fast charging technology may be of the second generation.

Snapdragon 425/427

These Qualcomm processors belong to the budget category and are a continuation of the 415 model. They are also manufactured at 28 nm and have 4 Cortex A53 cores. They operate at a frequency of 1.4 GHz, Adreno 308 graphics are installed on board. The GPU frequency is unknown for certain (the only smartphone with this SoC, Xiaomi Redmi 4A, will not be widely sold), the approximate performance is about 30 GFLOPS.

Both processors are designed for LPDDR3 memory (667 GHz). Display resolution – HD 720. The differences between Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 and 427 are in the networks: both support Wi-Fi of two standards and all 2nd and 3rd generation networks. But the 425 has LTE Cat 4, and the 427 has LTE Cat 7.

The 425th model supports its own second-generation fast charging technology, the 427th model supports 3rd generation fast charging. The camera can be a maximum of 16 megapixels for both.

Snapdragon 430/435

These Qualcomm processors are the most advanced in the budget segment. Both are manufactured using a 28 nm process technology and have 8 Cortex A53 1.4 GHz cores. Graphics processing is handled by the latest generation Adreno 505 accelerator. The clock frequency of the video processor is 450 MHz, and the theoretical performance is up to 49 GFLOPS.

The memory controller is designed for LPDDR3 800 chips. The display resolution can be either HD or FullHD. Both chipsets support almost all current networks, but the 430 model has an LTE Cat 4 modem, and the 435 has a Cat 7 modem.

Qualcomm third generation fast charging is supported. The chipsets can process camera images at a resolution of 21 megapixels.

Mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets

Among mid-range chips, Qualcomm has good SoCs for both mid-budget and almost flagship devices. They are usually in the 600 series, but there is one exception.

Snapdragon 615/616/617

Inexpensive mid-level processors aimed at mass-segment smartphones. They are produced according to the 28 nm process technology and have 8 Cortex A53 cores in a 4+4 configuration. They differ in frequencies and modems. In the 615 model, 4 fast cores operate at 1.5, in the 616 - 1.7, in the 617 - 1.5 GHz. Another cluster of 4 cores is overclocked to 1.2 GHz everywhere. Graphics processing is handled by Adreno 405, 550 MHz, with a performance of 60 GFLOPS.

The RAM controller is single-channel LPDDR3, 800 (in models 615 and 616) or 933 MHz (617). The chips can display images on displays up to QHD 2560x1600 (the 617th is only Full HD 1920x1080). Cellular modules of models 615 and 616 support networks up to LTE Cat 4, in 617 – LTE Cat 7. All processors for smartphones in this series work with Wi-Fi of both bands. The first two models support Quick Charge 2.0 fast charging technology, and 617 already supports Quick Charge 3.0. Photos on the camera can be processed at a maximum resolution of 21 megapixels.

Snapdragon 415

Cheaper version of the 615 model. The first eight-core Qualcomm processor for smartphones, designed to interest the Chinese in multi-core technology and give an answer to MediaTek chips (Qualcomm representatives themselves once mentioned this). Despite belonging to the 400 series, it is a representative of the middle level. Produced using a 28 nm process technology, it has 8 Cortex A53 1.4 GHz cores. Graphics coprocessor – Qualcomm Adreno 405, 465 MHz, 50 GFLOPS.

The RAM controller can work with LPDDR3 667 chips. The chipset supports screens with a resolution of up to 1920x1080 pixels. The Wi-Fi module operates with frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz, and there is also support for all networks, up to LTE Cat 4.

Fast charging technology version 2 is supported. Camera images can be processed at 13 megapixel resolution.

Snapdragon 650 (originally introduced as 618)

A powerful mid-range Qualcomm processor, originally numbered 618. It was introduced in 2015. Then its production was suspended due to problems with overheating and it was re-launched in 2016 under number 650. It is produced using the 28 nm process technology. It has 6 cores, of which 2 are powerful Cortex A72 with a frequency of 1.8, another 4 are economical Cortex A53 1.4 GHz. Graphics subsystem – Adreno 510, 600 MHz, speed of about 180 GFLOPS.

The chipset is equipped with a dual-channel LPDDR3 memory controller with a frequency of up to 933 MHz. Screen resolution - up to QHD 2560×1600 pixels. It is equipped with a modem that supports all networks up to LTE Cat 7, and Wi-Fi can work in 2.4 and 5 GHz networks.

The chipset supports Quick Charge™ 3.0 fast charging technology. The camera module can be a maximum of 21 megapixels.

Snapdragon 652/653

Powerful eight-core processors manufactured using the 28 nm process technology. In fact, these are more advanced versions of the 650 model. 4 Cortex A72 cores have frequencies of 1.8 (652) or 1.95 GHz (653), 4 Cortex A53 – 1.4 (652) or 1.44 (653) GHz. Graphics processing is handled by Adreno 510, 600 MHz, 180 GFLOPS.

Both chips are equipped with a memory controller that works with two LPDDR3 933 channels. Screens up to 2560x1600 pixels are supported. Both models are equipped with Wi-Fi ac (5 GHz) and LTE Cat 7, but the 653 model has upload speeds of up to 150 Mbps, and the 652 – 100 Mbps. The interface connector of smartphones with these chips must only support USN 2.0.

Both models support third-generation fast charging, 21-megapixel camera shots, and 4K video recording at 30 frames per second.

Snapdragon 625/626

Qualcomm smartphone processors that were widely used in 2016. The chipsets have proven themselves well. They are produced using a relatively thin 14 nm process technology, which results in economical power consumption and no heating. Equipped with 8 Cortex A53 cores. The clock frequency in the model 625 is 2, 626 is 2.2 GHz. 3D processing is handled by the Adreno 506, 650 MHz graphics accelerator, with a performance of about 130 GFLOPS.

A single-channel LPDDR3 933 controller is responsible for communication with the RAM. The maximum screen resolution is 1920x1080 pixels. The radio module is designed for networks up to LTE up to Cat 7, as well as Wi-Fi in two bands. A feature of Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 is also support for USB 3.0.

Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging technology is supported. The video can be captured in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. Image resolution is 24 megapixels.

Snapdragon 660

An upcoming processor, based on which no smartphone has yet been announced. It is built on a thinner 14 nm process technology and is equipped with 8 cores of its own Kryo microarchitecture (an ARM-based development by Qualcomm). 4 powerful cores have a frequency of 2.2, 4 economical ones - 1.9 GHz. Adreno 512 is provided for graphics (according to preliminary data - about 200 GFLOPS).

The chipset provides for the installation of LPDDR4 1866 memory in smartphones, in 2 channels. According to available information, support for LTE Cat 9 is provided. The resolution of the displays is unknown, since the first smartphones on the chip will appear no earlier than spring 2017.

Flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon processors

Qualcomm produces SoCs for top smartphones under model numbers of the 800 series. In them, developers introduce all the advanced achievements in the field of SoCs.

Snapdragon 820

The flagship chipset of 2016 is one of the best solutions on the market so far. Manufactured using a 14 nm process technology and equipped with 4 Kryo cores. 2 of them operate at a frequency of 2.15, another 2 – 1.6 GHz. There is a version with 1.8 and 1.36 GHz, characterized by reduced power consumption. Graphics accelerator – Adreno 530, 625 MHz, 499 GFLOPS.

The memory controller is four-channel LPDDR4 1866. The maximum screen resolution is 4K 3840x2160. Cellular networks – up to LTE Cat 12 (which is just emerging in the world) and Wi-Fi ac and ad (WiGig).

Supports Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging technology and WiPower wireless charging technology. Cameras are supported in 28 megapixel resolution.

Snapdragon 821

An optimized and slightly overclocked version of the previous smartphone processor. Frequencies remained the same or increased to 2.35/1.6 GHz. The graphics accelerator is overclocked to 650 MHz (519 GFLOPS).

Snapdragon 835

The processor was introduced in January 2016 at CES 2017. The first smartphones based on the 835 should appear around MWC 2017 (late February). Manufacturing process – 10 nm. Powered by eight Kryo 280 cores. Adreno 540 video chip. The maximum frequency of the powerful 4 cores is 2.45 GHz. Another 4 cores for less demanding tasks operate at a frequency of 1.9 GHz.

Memory controller – four-channel LPDDR4. Supports QHD and 4K displays. The wireless module is designed for Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ad networks, and supports LTE up to Cat 16 (up to 980 Mbit/s, not yet implemented on a mass basis by any global operator). The Snapdragon 835 chipset gets an LTE X16 modem, 4x4 MIMO, three layers of security, and machine learning.

The 4th generation Quick Charge fast charging technology will be supported, which is 20% faster than the third generation.

The 835 chipset will have the ability to electronically stabilize video in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. Supports a 32 MP camera or two 16 MP cameras. .

These two models should be the most powerful from Qualcomm for a long time. The press release describes them as the most powerful and energy-efficient mobile chipsets in history.

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