The processor controls all the device's actions and indicates whether it will function properly. Find out more!
When we buy a cell phone, we should pay attention to several points that indicate the quality of the model. One of these points that we should pay attention to is the processor, which controls everything we do on the device. It takes care of several important components, such as running applications, battery, memory, connections and much more.
For this reason, it is important to know more about the processor, which will indicate whether the device is working properly or not. To learn more about this subject, check out 5 points that explain how the processor works, which is basically the heart of the smartphone.
Processors
Also known as System-on-a-Chip, this is a chip that contains several types of processors on the same circuit. Different devices are equipped with SoCs, such as cell phones, tablets, TVs and more.
When searching for cell phone data, we come across SoC names such as Snapdragon, Exynos, Helio, Dimensity and Bionic, which are processors from the brands Qualcomm, Samsung, MediaTek and Apple, giving life to many cell phone models on the market.
There are 5 points that will help you better understand the characteristics of these processors. They are:
There are several types of processors
The SoC is a chip with many integrated processors at the same time, and can be compared to an orchestra of several processors working at the same time in harmony. In this case, the conductor would be the central processor, which serves to coordinate the execution of tasks such as calculations and logical operations. The GPU, which is also part of this process, serves to process the graphics part of the device, such as games and more complex renderings.
There are also other processors, such as the NPU, which accelerates tasks, the ISP, which processes images captured by the camera, and the DPS, which processes digital signals such as audio and video. There are also controllers, which act on the connection, such as input and output of USB and HDMI cables, and modems, which ensure the wireless connection, being responsible for accessing the Internet. mobile internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more.
In other words, each of these processors plays an important role in the functioning of the device, making operations more efficient. Therefore, the chip is an integration of several processors into just one.
Performance and efficiency
The CPU of a SoC is based on a specific ARM technology, known as big.LITTLE, which allows the CPU to combine performance cores with energy-efficient cores. Thus, the technology combines different cores, forming a single system.
LITTLE cores are used to ensure maximum energy efficiency in low-intensity activities, such as sending emails, listening to music, and others. Big cores, on the other hand, provide performance in high-intensity activities, such as gaming, 3D video processing, and others. From there, the device's operating system distributes the tasks that allow communication between the two cores. There are also cores aimed at activities that require intense and immediate performance, such as video streaming, the CXC.
Advantages for cell phones
The integration of these processors is one of the biggest advantages of SoCs for cell phones, as it allows a significant reduction in the size of the chip. This makes it possible to create thinner and lighter devices while maintaining their performance. This combination also makes communication faster and smoother, making the device much faster.
Another advantage is lower energy consumption, reducing the device's battery life, allowing the user to use it for longer without discharging.
In addition, the manufacturer can design a specific chip for the needs of each device according to the design. Some may be more suitable for games, be more powerful, economical, among others.
Other equipment that also uses the chip
Although they are often associated with cell phones, the use of SoCs goes beyond that and is also used in other devices. One example of this is television. Smart TVs use GPUs and ISPs, making the device more efficient.
Other equipment that also uses SoCs are: autonomous cars, security cameras, routers and more.
Differences between SoC and APU
SoC and APU may seem similar at first glance, but they have different concepts. SoC integrates several types of processors, while APU is a chip that basically integrates a CPU and a GPU.
While the SoC contains many types of processors for different purposes, the APU is aimed at the combination of central and graphics processor, being more commonly used in notebooks and desktops, where graphics and processing performance is higher.
Therefore, the SoC can be a suitable solution for compact mobile devices, while the APU is aimed at computers.
