Which processor is better for an Android smartphone in 2022: review of top chipsets and their features

Choosing a processor for a smartphone is like choosing a heart for a computer: everything from the speed of opening applications to battery life depends on it. In 2022 the mobile chipset market has experienced a real revolution: Qualcomm, MediaTek and Samsung presented their flagship solutions that not only increased performance, but also introduced new technologies - from hardware ray tracing to improved neural network processing.

However, not everything is like that definitely. Some processors get hot like irons, others save battery power but lose in games, and still others turned out to be “raw” at release. In this article we will analyze the best processors for Android smartphones in 2022, compare them according to key parameters and help you choose the best option for your tasks - be it gaming, photography or multitasking.

⚠️ Attention: Processor characteristics may vary depending on the specific smartphone model and its firmware. Manufacturers often limit the power of chipsets to improve autonomy or heat dissipation.

1. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1: a flagship with fire (and overheating)

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 became Qualcomm's first chipset on the 4nm process and immediately won titles in benchmarks. It is built on an architecture with cores ARMv9 with kernels Cortex-X2 (3.0 GHz), Cortex-A710 (2.5 GHz) and Cortex-A510 (1.8 GHz), and the graphics accelerator Adreno 730 promised a revolution in mobile gaming. But not everything is so smooth.

The main problem Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 — overheating and throttling (frequency dumping) under long-term loads. For example, in tests 3DMark Wild Life the chipset showed a record 10,000+ points, but after 15 minutes of play, the CPU frequency dropped by 30–40%, and the temperature reached 50–55°C. Smartphone manufacturers (for example Xiaomi 12 Pro or OnePlus 10 Pro) tried to solve the problem using massive cooling systems, but this increased the weight and thickness of the devices.

• ✅ Pros: Better single-threaded performance, support LPDDR5 i UFS 3.1, hardware ray tracing in games.
• ❌ Cons: Strong heating, high power consumption, problems with optimization in the first revisions.
• 📱 Top smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Realme GT 2 Pro.

⚠️ Attention: If you plan to use your smartphone for long gaming sessions, pay attention to models with improved cooling (for example, ASUS ROG Phone 6 with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 —an updated version of the chipset).

2. MediaTek Dimensity 9000: a dark horse with energy efficiency records

Dimensity 9000 was MediaTek's answer to Qualcomm's dominance. This chipset, also built on a 4nm process technology, outperformed in multi-threaded tests and showed better energy efficiency. The architecture includes a core TSMC, overtook Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in multi-threaded tests and showed better energy efficiency. The architecture includes a kernel Cortex-X2 (3.05 GHz), three Cortex-A710 (2.85 GHz) and four Cortex-A510 (1.8 GHz), and the graphics accelerator ARM Mali-G710 supports technologies Vulkan 1.3 i Ray Tracing.

The main advantage Dimensity 9000 — low heat dissipation. In tests on Oppo Find X5 Pro the chipset temperature did not exceed 45°C even after an hour of playing Genshin Impact. At the same time, autonomy is 15–20% better than that of competitors. However, there are also disadvantages: some games (for example, Call of Duty: Mobile) are optimized for Adreno, so they may work worse on Mali-G710 .

Parameter	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	Dimensity 9000
Technical process	4 nm (Samsung)	4 nm (TSMC)
Max. CPU frequency	3.0 GHz	3.05 GHz
GPU	Adreno 730	Mali-G710
Energy efficiency	Average	High
Support displays	QHD+ 144 Hz	WQHD+ 144 Hz

3. Samsung Exynos 2200: ambitions with AMD and disappointments Became the first Samsung chipset with a graphics accelerator based on the architecture of the same one used in the console. On paper, it sounded revolutionary: support for hardware ray tracing

Exynos 2200 became the first Samsung chipset with a graphics accelerator on the architecture AMD RDNA 2 - the same one used in the console PlayStation 5. On paper it sounded revolutionary: support for hardware ray tracing, Vulkan 1.3 and performance at the level Apple A15 Bionic. However, the reality turned out to be more prosaic.

Main problems Exynos 2200:

1. Poor driver optimization - games on Galaxy S22 Ultra (version with Exynos) work worse than on the same model with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
2. Overheating - despite 4-nm technical process, the chipset heats up more than Dimensity 9000.
3. Limited availability — Samsung installs Exynos only in European and Asian versions of flagships, and in the USA and China uses Snapdragon.

However less Exynos 2200 has a unique advantage - support for 8K HDR video and improved photo processing thanks to a neural processor with performance up to 17 TOPS. If multimedia content is important to you, this chipset may be an interesting option.

Why does Exynos 2200 lose to Snapdragon in games?

The main reason is unoptimized drivers for GPUs on AMD architecture. Game developers traditionally focus on Qualcomm chipsets, so games on Exynos often run with artifacts or low FPS, even if the hardware is more powerful.

4. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: corrected flagship

Realizing the mistakes with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Qualcomm released an updated version - Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. The main improvements:

• 🔥 The transition to 4 nm TSMC process (instead of Samsung) - this reduced power consumption by 15% and heat dissipation by 20%.
• 🎮 Increasing GPU stability - frequency Adreno 730 now lasts longer without throttling.
• 📱 Support for displays with a frequency of 240 Hz (for example, in ASUS ROG Phone 6).

In benchmarks Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 overtook Dimensity 9000 in graphics tests and equaled it in terms of energy efficiency. For example, in Geekbench 5 the chipset gains about 1300 points in single-threaded mode and 4200 points in multi-threaded mode. This makes it the best choice for gamers and lovers of powerful smartphones in 2022.

Install the application CPU-Z from Google Play|

Open the tab SoC (System on Chip)|

Look at the chipset model in the line Model|

Compare the characteristics with the data from this article-->

5. MediaTek Dimensity 8100: the gold standard in terms of price/quality ratio

Not everyone needs top-end chipsets for $1000+. Dimensity 8100 has become an ideal solution for mid- and high-end smartphones (for example, Redmi K50 Pro or OnePlus 10RIt is built on the same architecture as Dimensity 9000, but with stripped-down ones). frequencies:

• 🔄 Four cores Cortex-A78 (2.85 GHz) instead of Cortex-X2.
• 🎨 Graphics Mali-G610 (instead of G710).
• 🔋 Support LPDDR5 and UFS 3.1 (like flagships).

In real tests, Dimensity 8100 shows performance at the level of Snapdragon 888 (2021 flagship), but consumes 30% less energy. This makes it an excellent choice for. those who want a balanced smartphone without overpaying for the “megahertz race”.

6. Which processor to choose in 2022: recommendations for scenarios

The choice of chipset depends on your tasks. Here are brief recommendations:

• 🎮 For gaming: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (for example, in ASUS ROG Phone 6 or Black Shark 5 Pro).
• 📸 For photography and video: Exynos 2200 (in Galaxy S22 Ultra) or Dimensity 9000 (in Oppo Find X5 Pro).
• 🔋 For autonomy: Dimensity 9000 or Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (in models with a large battery, for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra).
• 💰 For a budget up to 50,000 ₽: Dimensity 8100 (in POCO F4 GT or Realme GT Neo 3).

⚠️ Attention: The performance of a smartphone depends not only on the processor, but also on the optimization of the firmware, cooling system and even the Android version. For example, Google Pixel 6 Pro with the chipset Tensor G1 (which is inferior to the 2022 flagships in benchmarks) shows excellent results in photography and machine learning thanks to Google's unique algorithms.

7. The future of mobile processors: what to expect in 2023?

Already at the end 2022, details about the next generation chipsets became known:

• 🔥 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm, Cortex-X3, support for second generation ray tracing).
• ⚡ Dimensity 9200 (4 nm, first mobile core Cortex-X3 with a frequency of up to 3.05 GHz).
• 📱 Exynos 2300 (possible abandonment of AMD in favor of its own graphics).

It is expected that the new chipsets will solve problems with overheating and power consumption, as well as introduce support for Wi-Fi 7 i Bluetooth 5.3However, if you need a smartphone right now, 2022 flagships will remain relevant for at least another 2-3 years. Before purchasing, check which processor is installed in the selected smartphone model. data-i="195">or Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 or Dimensity 9000 will remain relevant for at least another 2-3 years.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about processors for Android smartphones

🔍 How can I find out which processor is in my smartphone?

Install application CPU-Z or AIDA64 from Google Play. In the section SoC or CPU the chipset model, architecture and core frequency will also be indicated. You can also look in the phone settings: Settings → About phone. → Hardware information.

🔥 Why does my smartphone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 get very hot?

This is a known problem with the first revisions of the chipset Reasons:

1. Low quality of Samsung's 4-nm process technology (unlike TSMC's Dimensity 9000).
2. Aggressive core overclocking policy by smartphone manufacturers.
3. Poor firmware optimization (especially in Chinese brands).

Solution: update the software to the latest version or use power saving modes.

🎮 Which processor is better for gaming: Snapdragon or Dimensity?

For most games it is better Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 due to:

• Better driver optimization Adreno.
• Technology support Elite Gaming (for example, motion smoothing).
• More games tailored for Qualcomm.

However, Dimensity 9000 does not lag far behind and wins in energy efficiency.

📉 Is it worth buying a smartphone with a 2021 processor (for example, Snapdragon 888) in 2022?

Depends on the price. If the smartphone costs 30-40% less than the flagships of 2022, then yes. Snapdragon 888 or Dimensity 1200 still cope with most tasks, including games at high settings. But keep in mind that support for Android updates may end. earlier.

⚡ How does the processor affect battery life?

Direct influence:

• Technical process: 4 nm (for example, Dimensity 9000) more economical than 5 nm (Snapdragon 888).
• Core architecture: Cortex-A510 consumes less energy than Cortex-A78.
• Firmware optimization: For example, Google Tensor w Pixel 6 loses in benchmarks, but shows excellent autonomy thanks to software.

Indirect: powerful processors require large batteries, which increases the weight of the smartphone.