The Worst Smartphone Processors: A Deep Dive into Underperformers

Introduction

Smartphone processors are the heart and soul of our mobile devices, driving everything from simple texting to high-definition gaming and multitasking. While many processors deliver exceptional performance and efficiency, some have fallen short, causing frustration among users and tarnishing the reputations of major tech companies. In this comprehensive analysis, we'll explore the worst smartphone processors that have hit the market, delving into their shortcomings and the impact they've had on the industry.

Qualcomm Snapdragon Processors: The Heating Debacle

Snapdragon 810: A Hot Mess

In 2015, Qualcomm released the Snapdragon 810 processor, which quickly became infamous for its severe overheating issues. The processor's thermal problems were so significant that Samsung opted to exclude it from their flagship Galaxy S6, choosing instead to utilize their own Exynos processors globally. The Snapdragon 810's overheating not only affected performance but also raised concerns about device longevity and safety.

Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1: The Return of Heating Problems

Fast forward to 2020 and 2021, Qualcomm faced similar criticisms with the Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processors. Both were manufactured using Samsung's 5nm and 4nm fabrication processes, respectively. Users reported significant heating issues, which adversely affected performance and battery life. It wasn't until Qualcomm shifted to TSMC's fabrication technology that these problems began to subside, highlighting the importance of manufacturing processes in processor performance.

Snapdragon 695: An Underperformer That Won't Go Away

The Snapdragon 695 is another processor that has drawn criticism for its underwhelming performance. Despite being a relatively new chipset, it offers limited capabilities, particularly in gaming and camera performance due to its weak Image Signal Processor (ISP). Surprisingly, many smartphone manufacturers continue to release devices powered by the Snapdragon 695, sometimes rebranding it as the Snapdragon 6S Gen 3. Its continued presence in the market is perplexing, given the availability of better alternatives.

Google Tensor: Heating Issues Persist

The Problem with Samsung's Fabrication and Exynos Base

Google's entry into custom processors with the Tensor chipset was met with high expectations. The Tensor processor, however, has struggled with heating issues ever since its first iteration. One of the primary reasons is its reliance on Samsung's fabrication process and its foundation on older Exynos architectures. This combination has resulted in processors that struggle with efficiency and thermal management.

The Future of Tensor: A Shift to TSMC?

Recognizing these shortcomings, Google is reportedly planning a significant overhaul of its Tensor processors. Future iterations may move away from Samsung's fabrication in favor of TSMC's more advanced processes. Additionally, a new design architecture could eliminate the dependence on Exynos technology. These changes hold the potential to transform Tensor into a competitive processor in the flagship smartphone market.

Exynos Processors: A Rocky Road

Heating Issues up to Exynos 2200

Samsung's Exynos processors have had their share of challenges, particularly with overheating and performance inconsistencies. Models up to the Exynos 2200 suffered from these issues, leading to a preference for Snapdragon-powered devices in markets where both options were available.

Improvements with Exynos 2300

The Exynos 2300 marked a turning point for Samsung's in-house processors. By integrating AMD's RDNA 2-based Eclipse GPU, the Exynos 2300 delivered improved graphics performance and better thermal management. Benchmark tests showed that it could match the performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, signaling a significant improvement.

Samsung's Future Plans

Despite these advancements, Samsung plans to forego the Exynos processors in its upcoming Galaxy S25 lineup, opting instead for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 across all markets. However, Samsung is reportedly working on a "dream chip" slated for release in 2026. This processor aims to outperform both Apple's Bionic chips and Qualcomm's Snapdragon series, potentially redefining Samsung's position in the processor market.

NVIDIA Tegra: A Missed Opportunity

Focus on Gaming but Failing in the Market

NVIDIA, a giant in graphics processing, ventured into mobile processors with the Tegra series. Designed with a focus on gaming performance, Tegra processors appeared in some tablets and niche devices. Despite their potential, they failed to gain significant traction in the smartphone market, leading NVIDIA to discontinue the line.

Discontinuation and Future Plans

While NVIDIA stepped back from mobile processors, there are rumors of the company developing ARM-based CPUs for PCs. Such a move could see NVIDIA re-enter the processor market in a different segment, potentially challenging established players.

Intel Atom: An Unsuccessful Foray into Smartphones

x86 Architecture in Mobile Devices

Intel attempted to bring its x86 architecture to smartphones with the Atom processor series. Found in devices from brands like Asus and Xolo, Intel Atom processors aimed to offer PC-like performance in mobile devices. However, they struggled with app compatibility issues and inefficient power consumption compared to ARM-based counterparts.

Intel's Exit from the Mobile Processor Market

The inability to compete effectively led Intel to exit the smartphone processor market. In an ironic twist, Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors are now making their way into laptops, challenging Intel's dominance in the PC processor industry.

MediaTek's Struggle and Redemption

The Problematic Helio X Series

MediaTek's Helio X series aimed to compete in the high-end segment but was marred by overheating and performance throttling issues. The deca-core processors, while impressive on paper, failed to deliver sustained performance, disappointing consumers and manufacturers alike.

The Rise of Dimensity Series

Learning from past mistakes, MediaTek introduced the Dimensity series, which has been well-received, especially in budget and mid-range smartphones. The Dimensity processors offer a balance of performance and efficiency, making them competitive alternatives to Snapdragon processors in these segments.

Challenges in the Flagship Segment

Despite success in lower tiers, MediaTek still lags in the flagship market. Their Dimensity 9000 series, although powerful, hasn't gained widespread adoption in premium devices. MediaTek needs to focus on strengthening partnerships and improving performance to compete with the top-tier Snapdragon and Apple A-series chips.

Unisoc Processors: Not Up to Par

Unisoc, a Chinese semiconductor company, produces processors primarily for entry-level smartphones. Unfortunately, Unisoc processors often deliver subpar performance, lagging behind competitors in speed, efficiency, and feature support. Their 5G processors, while a step forward, are comparable to older generations of MediaTek's Dimensity series, offering little innovation or advancement.

Certainly! Below is a comparison table of the worst smartphone processors discussed, highlighting their key features, issues, and impact on the mobile industry.

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Comparison Table of Notorious Smartphone Processors

Processor

Manufacturer

Key Issues

Fabrication Process

Impact on Devices

Notable Devices

Future Outlook

Snapdragon 810

Qualcomm

Severe overheating

20nm (TSMC)

Performance throttling, battery drain, device discomfort

HTC One M9, Sony Xperia Z3+/Z4

Discontinued; lessons applied to future designs

Snapdragon 888

Qualcomm

Overheating

5nm (Samsung)

Throttled performance, reduced battery life

Samsung Galaxy S21, OnePlus 9

Improved in Snapdragon 888 Plus with minor tweaks

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

Qualcomm

Overheating

4nm (Samsung)

Thermal issues, inefficiency

Xiaomi 12, Motorola Edge X30

Resolved with shift to TSMC in Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

Snapdragon 695

Qualcomm

Underwhelming performance

6nm (TSMC)

Poor gaming, weak ISP, limited features

Multiple mid-range devices

Rebranded versions still in use (e.g., Snapdragon 6S Gen 3)

Google Tensor (1st Gen)

Google

Heating issues

5nm (Samsung)

Thermal throttling, reduced efficiency

Google Pixel 6 series

Plans to shift to TSMC and new design architecture

Exynos (up to 2200)

Samsung

Overheating, inefficiency

Various (up to 5nm Samsung)

Performance inconsistencies, user dissatisfaction

Samsung Galaxy S series (various)

Improved with Exynos 2300; future "dream chip" in development

NVIDIA Tegra

NVIDIA

Market underperformance

28nm and older

Limited adoption, lack of support

NVIDIA Shield Tablet, some tablets

Discontinued; potential re-entry into CPUs for PCs

Intel Atom

Intel

Inefficient, app incompatibility

22nm (Intel)

Poor battery life, limited app support

Asus ZenFone series, Xolo phones

Exited mobile market; focusing on PC processors

MediaTek Helio X Series

MediaTek

Overheating, throttling

20nm and 16nm (various)

Inconsistent performance, device heating

LeEco Le 2 Pro, Meizu Pro 6

Replaced by Dimensity series with significant improvements

Unisoc Processors

Unisoc

Poor performance, outdated tech

12nm and older

Lagging, inefficiency, limited features

Entry-level smartphones

Minimal improvements; lag behind competitors

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Key Takeaways:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon Series: Faced overheating issues with Snapdragon 810, 888, and 8 Gen 1 due to fabrication processes. Resolved in later versions by shifting to TSMC's fabrication.
• Google Tensor: Initial versions suffered from heating due to reliance on Samsung's fabrication and Exynos base. Future versions aim to improve by moving to TSMC and new architectures.
• Samsung Exynos: Historically struggled with thermal management. Improvements seen in Exynos 2300 with AMD GPU integration. Future developments look promising with the planned "dream chip."
• NVIDIA Tegra and Intel Atom: Both failed to capture the mobile market due to various issues, including lack of optimization and market adoption.
• MediaTek Helio X Series: Overheating and throttling led to a tarnished reputation. The Dimensity series has since improved MediaTek's standing.
• Unisoc Processors: generally underperform compared to competitors, with outdated technology and poor efficiency.

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Note: The fabrication process (measured in nanometers) indicates the size of the transistors on the chip. Smaller numbers mostly mean more advanced technology, which can lead to better performance and efficiency, but only if the process is well-executed.

Conclusion

The world of smartphone processors is highly competitive, with companies constantly pushing the boundaries of performance and efficiency. However, as we've seen, not all processors meet the mark. From heating issues to poor performance, the processors discussed have taught valuable lessons to manufacturers and consumers alike. As technology advances, we hope to see fewer of these underperformers and more processors that enhance our mobile experiences.

What do you think are the best and worst smartphone processors? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why do some smartphone processors overheat?

Overheating in smartphone processors can result from several factors, including inefficient fabrication processes, poor thermal management, and high power consumption. When a processor works harder than it's designed to handle, it generates excess heat, which can lead to throttling and reduced performance.

2. Is Snapdragon better than MediaTek?

Both Snapdragon and MediaTek produce a range of processors catering to different market segments. Snapdragon processors are often found in high-end devices and are praised for their performance and efficiency. MediaTek has made significant strides with its Dimensity series but still lags in the flagship segment. The "better" processor depends on specific models and user needs.

3. What happened to Intel's smartphone processors?

Intel's smartphone processors, like the Atom series, struggled due to compatibility issues and inefficiencies compared to ARM-based processors. Intel eventually exited the smartphone processor market to focus on its core strengths in PC processors.

4. Will Samsung continue to use Exynos processors?

Samsung has fluctuated between using its in-house Exynos processors and Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. While they plan to use Snapdragon processors exclusively in some upcoming models, Samsung is also developing a new processor, rumored to be a "dream chip," potentially signaling a return to Exynos in the future.

5. Are Unisoc processors good for budget smartphones?

Unisoc processors are often found in entry-level smartphones due to their low cost. However, they tend to offer lower performance and efficiency compared to competitors like MediaTek and Snapdragon. For basic usage, they may suffice, but they are not ideal for demanding applications.

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