Is the Samsung Exynos 9820 Processor Better than Apple's A12 Bionic?

Introduction to A12 Bionic

The Apple A12 Bionic is often celebrated for its remarkable performance and efficiency. The A12 is part of the Bionics series, which is a testament to Apple’s commitment to innovation and speed. Known for its dual and triple-core designs, the A12 delivers exceptional performance. However, a closer look reveals that the performance boost from the A11 to the A12 was around 10-15 percent. Despite this, Apple's chips maintain consistent performance and allow users to enjoy high-quality gameplay, irrespective of the specific game.

Comparing Samsung's Exynos 9820 to the A12 Bionic

While the A12 Bionic stands out, there's a hidden gem in Samsung’s portfolio: the Exynos 9820. Unlike many processors, which rely on minor upgrades, the Exynos 9820 represents a significant leap forward. This particular chipset is equipped with 8K video recording capability, a feature that marks it as a cutting-edge technology.

Power and Performance of the Exynos 9820

The Exynos 9820 does not merely play 8K video; it records it. This means processing 120 4K images in just one second and combining them into a single 8K image, a feat that required substantial computational power. The A12 Bionic, on the other hand, manages only up to 4K at 60 frames per second. Mathematically, the Exynos 9820 is significantly more powerful, capable of handling more intensive tasks with ease.

Thanks to the inclusion of the 4th generation Mongoose cores, the Exynos 9820 boasts an impressive performance delivery. Although not as fast as the Vortex cores in the A12, the combination of two M4 cores and two Cortex-A75 cores (with the addition of two Kryo 385 cores) provides the necessary power for 8K recording and other high-demand tasks.

Efficiency and Architecture

The Exynos 9820 utilizes a tri-cluster architecture, first seen in the Exynos 7885. This design ensures that power consumption is optimized. When 8K recording is not needed, only one of the three clusters runs, significantly conserving battery life. Additionally, the 9820 is built on an 8nm FinFET process, a technology that brings significant improvements in power efficiency compared to the 7nm technology used in the Kirin 980 and Apple's A12 Bionic.

Another advantage is the advanced Image Signal Processing (ISP) unit, which is crucial for high-resolution video recording. The Exynos 9820 has a superior ISP, allowing it to handle the complex data processing required for such high-resolution video.

Benchmarking the Exynos 9820

When it comes to benchmarks, the Exynos 9820 easily surpasses the A12 Bionic in terms of performance. The A12 Bionic’s improvements from the A11 were modest, whereas the Exynos 9820 introduces a new level of power and efficiency.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the A12 Bionic is still a formidable processor, Samsung's Exynos 9820 offers a powerful and efficient alternative. Its 8K video recording capability, combined with its tri-cluster architecture and advanced ISP, sets it apart from other processors in the market. If you’re looking for cutting-edge technology and high performance, the Samsung Exynos 9820 might well be the processor to choose.