Android CPU Ranking: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to Android devices, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is one of the most critical components that determines the performance, speed, and overall user experience. The CPU ranking helps to understand how different processors compare in terms of performance, power efficiency, and the capabilities they offer. Android devices, being diverse in terms of manufacturers and hardware, use a variety of CPUs from different companies. This article will provide an overview of the top Android CPUs, their key features, and how they rank in terms of performance.

1. Understanding Android CPUs

Android devices use processors from a range of manufacturers, with Qualcomm, Samsung, MediaTek, and Huawei being the most prominent players. The CPUs in these devices are responsible for handling everything from running apps to performing complex operations like gaming and multitasking.

Android CPUs can be classified based on their architecture, cores, clock speeds, and the processes used to build them (measured in nanometers, or nm). In general, the lower the nanometer process, the more efficient and powerful the CPU is, as smaller processes result in less power consumption and better thermal performance.

2. Top Android CPU Manufacturers

a. Qualcomm Snapdragon

Qualcomm's Snapdragon series of processors are widely used in many high-end Android devices. They are known for excellent performance, strong AI capabilities, and great power efficiency.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (2024)
  • Cores: 1x Cortex-X4 (High-performance), 5x Cortex-A720 (Performance), 2x Cortex-A520 (Efficiency)
  • Clock Speed: Up to 3.3 GHz (on the Cortex-X4 core)
  • Manufacturing Process: 4nm
  • Key Features:
    • Improved AI processing and gaming performance
    • Enhanced graphics rendering with the Adreno 750 GPU
    • 5G connectivity with support for the latest bands
    • AI-based camera enhancements and real-time video processing
  • Performance: This is currently one of the fastest processors for Android devices, known for delivering exceptional performance in both gaming and multitasking.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Cores: 1x Cortex-X3 (Prime), 3x Cortex-A715 (Performance), 4x Cortex-A510 (Efficiency)
  • Clock Speed: Up to 3.2 GHz
  • Manufacturing Process: 4nm
  • Key Features:
    • Integrated AI and gaming enhancements
    • Efficient power usage for extended battery life
    • Supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3
  • Performance: This chipset is used in flagship devices and offers strong gaming and multitasking performance, with an emphasis on power efficiency.

b. Apple A-Series

While Apple’s processors are not used in Android devices, they are often considered a benchmark for CPU performance. The A-series chips (like the A17 Bionic) are among the fastest mobile processors globally. Apple’s dominance in CPU performance is partly due to its control over both hardware and software.

c. Samsung Exynos

Samsung's Exynos processors are used in several Samsung Galaxy devices. Though not as widespread as Snapdragon chips, they are particularly powerful when optimized for Samsung's ecosystem.

Exynos 2400 (2024)
  • Cores: 1x Cortex-X4, 2x Cortex-A720, 4x Cortex-A520
  • Clock Speed: Up to 3.1 GHz
  • Manufacturing Process: 4nm
  • Key Features:
    • Enhanced power efficiency
    • Strong AI and machine learning capabilities
    • Built-in 5G support with improved network speeds
  • Performance: While Exynos processors have historically lagged behind Snapdragon in terms of performance, the Exynos 2400 has made significant strides, improving GPU performance and AI processing, making it competitive in the high-end Android segment.

d. MediaTek Dimensity

MediaTek’s Dimensity processors are primarily used in mid-range to premium Android smartphones. They are often favored for their balance between performance and price.

Dimensity 9200 (2024)
  • Cores: 1x Cortex-X3 (Prime), 3x Cortex-A715 (Performance), 4x Cortex-A510 (Efficiency)
  • Clock Speed: Up to 3.05 GHz
  • Manufacturing Process: 4nm
  • Key Features:
    • Impressive AI capabilities and image processing
    • Optimized for gaming with powerful GPU support
    • Advanced 5G connectivity
  • Performance: The Dimensity 9200 offers strong performance across tasks like gaming, photography, and multitasking, making it a worthy competitor to Snapdragon 8-series chips in certain devices.
Dimensity 1080
  • Cores: 2x Cortex-A78 (Performance), 6x Cortex-A55 (Efficiency)
  • Clock Speed: Up to 2.6 GHz
  • Manufacturing Process: 6nm
  • Key Features:
    • 5G connectivity
    • Enhanced gaming and camera processing
  • Performance: The Dimensity 1080 is a popular mid-range option with good performance for most everyday tasks, gaming, and content creation.

e. Huawei Kirin

Huawei’s Kirin series chips, used in its own devices, offer high performance and efficiency. However, they are less common outside of Huawei devices due to the US trade restrictions on the company.

Kirin 9000 (2020)
  • Cores: 1x Cortex-A77 (High-performance), 3x Cortex-A77 (Performance), 4x Cortex-A55 (Efficiency)
  • Clock Speed: Up to 3.13 GHz
  • Manufacturing Process: 5nm
  • Key Features:
    • Excellent AI processing and camera support
    • 5G integrated modem
  • Performance: Although it’s now a few years old, the Kirin 9000 still provides solid performance, particularly for multitasking and power efficiency.

3. Benchmarking Android CPUs

To rank Android CPUs, we often turn to benchmarking tools that measure CPU performance. The most popular benchmarking tools are:

  • Geekbench: A widely used tool that tests single-core and multi-core performance. It provides an overall score and ranks devices against one another based on raw performance.

  • AnTuTu: An app that measures a phone’s overall performance across several categories, including CPU, GPU, memory, and storage.

  • GFXBench: Focuses on testing graphics performance, an important factor for gaming and high-end media applications.

4. Top 5 Android CPUs in 2024 (Based on Performance)

Here's a comparison of the top Android processors in 2024 based on benchmark results and real-world performance:

Processor Performance Rank CPU Cores Clock Speed Manufacturing Process Graphics Benchmark (Geekbench 5)
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 1 1x Cortex-X4, 5x Cortex-A720, 2x A520 Up to 3.3 GHz 4nm Adreno 750 1,900 (Single-core), 6,500 (Multi-core)
Exynos 2400 2 1x Cortex-X4, 2x Cortex-A720, 4x A520 Up to 3.1 GHz 4nm AMD RDNA 2 GPU 1,800 (Single-core), 6,200 (Multi-core)
Dimensity 9200 3 1x Cortex-X3, 3x Cortex-A715, 4x A510 Up to 3.05 GHz 4nm Mali-G715 MC11 1,800 (Single-core), 6,000 (Multi-core)
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 4 1x Cortex-X3, 3x Cortex-A715, 4x A510 Up to 3.2 GHz 4nm Adreno 740 1,800 (Single-core), 6,000 (Multi-core)
Dimensity 1080 5 2x Cortex-A78, 6x Cortex-A55 Up to 2.6 GHz 6nm Mali-G68 800 (Single-core), 2,800 (Multi-core)

5. Conclusion

In 2024, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 leads the Android CPU ranking, offering the best combination of high clock speeds, power efficiency, and GPU performance, making it the go-to choice for flagship devices. The Exynos 2400 and Dimensity 9200 are also top contenders, offering impressive performance and advanced AI capabilities. The Dimensity 1080 offers a more affordable solution for mid-range smartphones but still provides solid performance for everyday tasks.

When choosing an Android device, the CPU plays a major role in determining the device's performance. However, it is important to consider other factors such as the GPU, battery life, camera quality, and overall software optimization to make the best choice for your needs.