The key factors determining a processor’s potential are:

  • number of cores — most modern models have 8. At the same time, an 8-core chip is not always more powerful than a 4-core one: their clock speed is important;
  • core clock speed – the number of operations performed per second. This criterion directly affects performance and energy efficiency. To optimize charge consumption, different clusters are used to solve different types of problems. Thus, while browsing the Internet, the processor operates at 200–300 MHz; when launching a game, the frequency may exceed 2.5 GHz;
  • manufacturing process — transistor size — the smaller the transistor, the more of them fit on the chip and the higher the phone’s overall performance. In flagship models, this figure is 5–7 nm; in mid-range and budget models, 8–12 nm; in inexpensive models, 12–18 nm.

Modern SoCs integrate a graphics accelerator responsible for displaying images and visual effects. Its power should only be considered when choosing a device for gaming. If the gadget is needed for calls, communication in messengers, Internet use, and simple applications, this parameter is not particularly important.

Most gadgets available on the market have system-on-chips installed from the following manufacturers.

  • Qualcomm. Some of the American manufacturer’s best chipsets for Android are Snapdragon. The best devices use the latest-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, as well as the powerful 7 Plus Gen 2, 888, and 888 Plus processors. The Snapdragon 778g chipset, manufactured using a 6-nanometer process, is installed in above-average-priced models. You can choose a phone with this processor and compare prices using the E-Katalog price aggregator;
  • Apple (Bionic), which are used only in devices running iOS;
  • Samsung. The Korean company produces the Exynos chipset line. At the same time, Snapdragon processors are often found in smartphones from this popular brand;
  • MediaTek. Chipsets manufactured in Taiwan cost 30% less than Qualcomm products. As a result, the latest Dimensity processor models successfully compete with the more expensive market leaders;
  • HiSilicon. Smartphones from Huawei and Honor run on chipsets from the Chinese brand Kirin.

When choosing a smartphone, you should consider how you intend to use the gadget and take other features into account. Models with balanced architectures for intensive workloads are now available even in the budget segment.