Best Mobile Processors: How to Choose What You Need

What is the "Gen" Number?

The "Gen" (generation) number indicates how advanced a processor is within its series. Higher generations (e.g., Gen 3 vs. Gen 1) typically offer:

• Better CPU and GPU performance

• Improved power efficiency

• New features like advanced AI and faster 5G

Breakdown of Mobile Processor Series

Snapdragon (by Qualcomm)

• Snapdragon 4 Series:

  • Category: Budget version (affordable phones)

  • Examples: Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, Snapdragon 4 Gen 2

  • Use Case: Basic tasks (calls, browsing, social media)

• Snapdragon 6 Series:

  • Category: Mid-range version (good performance at a lower cost)

  • Examples: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Snapdragon 680

  • Use Case: Moderate tasks (gaming, multitasking, photography)

• Snapdragon 7 Series:

  • Category: Upper mid-range version (solid performance)

  • Examples: Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Snapdragon 7 Gen 3

  • Use Case: Gaming, multitasking, and better power efficiency

• Snapdragon 8 Series:

  • Category: High-end flagship version (best performance)

  • Examples: Snapdragon 888 5G, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

  • Use Case: Premium performance (high-end gaming, photography, multitasking, 5G)

MediaTek Dimensity (by MediaTek)

• Dimensity 6000 Series:

  • Category: Mid-range version

  • Examples: Dimensity 6100+, Dimensity 6080

  • Use Case: Everyday tasks and casual gaming

• Dimensity 7000 Series:

  • Category: Upper mid-range version

  • Examples: Dimensity 7050, Dimensity 7200

  • Use Case: Better gaming, multitasking, and photography

• Dimensity 8000 Series:

  • Category: High-end version

  • Examples: Dimensity 8100, Dimensity 8200, Dimensity 8300

  • Use Case: Gaming, video editing, 5G, and heavy multitasking

• Dimensity 9000 Series:

  • Category: Flagship version (comparable to Snapdragon 8 series)

  • Examples: Dimensity 9000, Dimensity 9200

  • Use Case: Premium flagship performance for top-tier devices

Exynos (by Samsung)

• Exynos 800 / 900 Series:

  • Category: Budget to mid-range versions

  • Examples: Exynos 850, Exynos 9611

  • Use Case: Basic to moderate tasks (social media, browsing, light gaming)

• Exynos 1200 / 1300 Series:

  • Category: Mid-range versions

  • Examples: Exynos 1280, Exynos 1380

  • Use Case: Moderate gaming and multitasking in mid-range Samsung devices

• Exynos 2000 Series:

  • Category: High-end/flagship versions

  • Examples: Exynos 2100, Exynos 2200

  • Use Case: High-end gaming, multitasking, and top-tier camera performance, comparable to Snapdragon 8 series

Unisoc

Unisoc processors are mainly found in entry-level smartphones:

• Unisoc T606:

  • Category: Entry-level

  • Use Case: Basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light browsing in very affordable smartphones

Apple A-Series (for iPhones)

• A-Series (Flagship Version):

  • Category: Best-in-class performance for iPhones

  • Examples: Apple A14 Bionic, Apple A15 Bionic, Apple A16 Bionic, Apple A17 Pro

  • Use Case: Superior gaming, AI processing, photography, and overall performance with seamless iOS optimization

Google Tensor (by Google)

• Tensor Series:

  • Category: Optimized for Google Pixel phones

  • Examples: Tensor G1, Tensor G2

  • Use Case: Excellent for AI tasks, photography, and Google’s software integration

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Summary of Processor Tiers

• Budget Processors:

  • Snapdragon 4 Series (4 Gen 1, 4 Gen 2)

  • MediaTek Dimensity 6100+

  • Exynos 850

• Mid-Range Processors:

  • Snapdragon 6 Series (6 Gen 1)

  • Snapdragon 7 Series (7 Gen 1, 7s Gen 2)

  • MediaTek Dimensity 7050 / 7200

  • Exynos 1280 / 1380

• High-End/Flagship Processors:

  • Snapdragon 8 Series (888 5G, 8 Gen 1, 8+ Gen 1, 8 Gen 3)

  • MediaTek Dimensity 8200 / 8300 / 9000

  • Exynos 2100 / 2200

  • Apple A-Series (A14, A15, A16, A17)

  • Google Tensor (G1, G2)

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Here is a general breakdown of CPU clock speeds for the processors mentioned:

Snapdragon (by Qualcomm)

• Snapdragon 4 Series:

  • Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 / Gen 2: Up to 2.0 GHz

• Snapdragon 6 Series:

  • Snapdragon 6 Gen 1: Up to 2.2 GHz

  • Snapdragon 680: Up to 2.4 GHz

• Snapdragon 7 Series:

  • Snapdragon 7 Gen 1: Up to 2.4 GHz

  • Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 / Gen 3: Up to 2.5 GHz

• Snapdragon 8 Series:

  • Snapdragon 888 5G: Up to 2.84 GHz

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1: Up to 3.0 GHz

  • Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: Up to 3.2 GHz

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 / Gen 3: Up to 3.36 GHz

MediaTek Dimensity (by MediaTek)

• Dimensity 6000 Series:

  • Dimensity 6100+ / 6080: Up to 2.2 GHz

• Dimensity 7000 Series:

  • Dimensity 7050 / 7200: Up to 2.8 GHz

• Dimensity 8000 Series:

  • Dimensity 8100 / 8200 / 8300: Up to 3.1 GHz

• Dimensity 9000 Series:

  • Dimensity 9000 / 9200: Up to 3.05 GHz

Exynos (by Samsung)

• Exynos 800 / 900 Series:

  • Exynos 850: Up to 2.0 GHz

  • Exynos 9611: Up to 2.3 GHz

• Exynos 1200 / 1300 Series:

  • Exynos 1280 / 1380: Up to 2.4 GHz

• Exynos 2000 Series:

  • Exynos 2100: Up to 2.9 GHz

  • Exynos 2200: Up to 2.8 GHz

Unisoc

• Unisoc T606: Up to 1.6 GHz

Apple A-Series (for iPhones)

• A14 Bionic: Up to 3.1 GHz

• A15 Bionic: Up to 3.23 GHz

• A16 Bionic: Up to 3.46 GHz

• A17 Pro: Up to 3.70 GHz

Google Tensor (by Google)

• Tensor G1: Up to 2.8 GHz

• Tensor G2: Up to 2.85 GHz

These speeds can vary slightly depending on the device and thermal conditions. The higher-end processors typically have more cores and advanced architecture to provide better performance for gaming, multitasking, and AI tasks.

Here's a table outlining clock speeds for different levels of mobile gaming, from casual to high-end flagship gaming.

Explanation:

• Casual Gaming is suitable for users playing games that don’t require heavy processing, like Candy Crush, Subway Surfers, or Angry Birds.

• Good Level Gaming includes games with moderate graphics requirements such as Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile on medium settings.

• High-Level Gaming supports heavier titles like Fortnite or Asphalt 9 on high settings.

• Flagship Gaming is for the most demanding games with the highest settings and smooth gameplay, focusing on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Apple A17 Pro for professional gamers.

This table helps you choose the right processor based on the gaming experience you want!