Features of Smartphone Processors and Beyond
Smartphone processors are just the heart of any device. Due to powerful processors, you get more performing devices wherein you can browse the web, check email, and unfriend people on Facebook. Here are some of the Features of Smartphone Processors in 2020 and beyond.
In the future smoother CPU performance isn’t going to offer that wow factor it once did. There are some more interesting trends that you’re going to see in 2020 which is going to be a very exciting year for mobile processors.
Features of Smartphone Processors
1. Improved Mobile Graphics
Although mobile graphics are just amazing there’s still room for some noticeable improvements in graphics performance. This is one of the Features of Smartphone Processors in 2020 and beyond.
Qualcomm has enhanced gaming versions by introducing the Snapdragon 730G and the latest Snapdragon 765G.
Qualcomm improved a 25 percent 3D graphics performance between the Adreno 640 in the Snapdragon 855 to the Adreno 650 in the Snapdragon 865. The laptop-class Snapdragon 8xc boasts an even bigger and more powerful Adreno 690 GPU.
AMD and Samsung have collaborated in 2019 to use AMD’s RDNA structure in future mobile chip designs. But this micro-architecture will not be used in an Exynos chip until 2021 or 2022. But this signals that mobile chip manufacturers are searching for a complete range of options on the market to strike the best deal.
2. More Powerful Silicon
The Mobile SoC market is increasing silicon space to new heterogeneous computing elements to improve performance while maintaining energy efficiency. Qualcomm’s Hexagon DSP is going to do the service as do the NPUs found inside flagship Exynos and Kirin SoCs.
A smaller percentage of silicon area is fixed for the GPU and the CPU the Exynos 9820 compared to the 9810. It is due to the introduction of a bigger NPU, camera image processors, video encode/decode hardware, and 4G modems.
3. Integrated 4G/5G Modems
As 5G networks are stirring the global telecom market, the industry’s first SoCs with integrated 4G/5G multi-mode modems is there for use. You will not get the fasted speed and 5G technology in integrated modems. You find such capacities in external modems like Samsung’s Exynos 5100, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X55, and Huawei’s Balong 5G01 or 5000.
Most of the 2020 flagship smartphones are going to integrate high-end SoCs coupled with external modems to offer mmWave 5G technology. In fact, Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 865 does not come with an integrated modem. This is one of the Features of Smartphone Processors in 2020 and beyond.
Its mid-range devices will come with integrated 5G modems in markets. The future chips include MediaTek Dimensity 800, Exynos 980, and the new Snapdragon 765 that are going to power affordable 5G handsets. The Samsung Galaxy A90 5G is the best example of mid-tier 5G phone that can steal the show in 2020. In addition, Nokia is also going to launch an inexpensive 5G phone, as also many other affordable handset manufacturers.
4. Bigger CPU Cores
Although CPU performance is already adequate that doesn’t mean interesting changes aren’t on the way.
The latest Snapdragon 865, Kirin 990, and Exynos 990 are going to be the trend. Arm’s latest Cortex-A77 is a 17 per cent larger core than the A76 and Samsung’s next-generation core might be larger still. Apple chip is also going to be more powerful CPU cores. Larger cores help to improve smartphone performance into low-end laptop territory and are also key to promoting gaming capabilities.
The trend of 2+2+4 CPU will Stay
In the future smartphones might not have four super-powerful cores, one or two cores for the heavy lifting, backed up by moderate and low-power cores for other tasks would be the trend and a sensible design choice. 2+2+4 CPU cores for phones in this generation are here to stay for 2020.
Moreover, smartphones don’t require four super-powerful cores, particularly when battery life is of major concern. For this, only one or two cores for heavy usage, coupled with moderate and low-power cores for other regular tasks can do the job.
The set of 2+2+4 CPU cores for phones of the future generation is the best bet for 2020. Although, you may see 4+4 designs powered by the A77 destined for laptops and other apps that need high-level performance.
These chip announcements made this year are going to appear in 2020 devices offer a few common features. Flagship chips will be built on 7nm or 7nm+ FinFET processes, providing just marginal improved energy efficiency vis-à-vis with the earlier step down from 10nm. Smartphones will supersede earlier CPU and GPU highs while nudging 5G and machine learning potential into the mainstream.
Synopsis
Although, the high-end chipset industry is out to witness increasing diversity. The differences between Kirin, Exynos, and Snapdragon platforms are set to expand more when it comes to custom CPU and GPU designs, in-house machine learning silicon, unique 5G chipsets, and a host of other features. Although in terms of performance the customers would not really notice this change or difference. Mid-tier chips have also witnessed the same diversity and power, with highly-priced 5G chips which have become the trend of 2020.