[ GLOSSARY DEFINITION ]
Performance
SoC
A single chip integrating CPU, GPU, modem, ISP, NPU and memory controller.
Also known as:
System on a Chip
System-on-Chip
Chipset
Full Definition & Technical Explanation
SoC (System on a Chip) packs almost all compute blocks on one die. On CompareTech it determines performance, battery, and camera scores.
Examples: Apple A19, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. See Chipset, Architecture, Lithography process, and Modem specs.
Related Technical Terms
CPU
The main processor that executes apps and system tasks; more cores/clock = faster general performan…
Performance
GPU
Specialized chip for rendering, gaming, and image processing — key to gaming scores.
Performance
Lithography
The size of the smallest transistor features; smaller generally means more efficient.
Performance
Modem
The chip that handles cellular connectivity (4G/5G); its specs set peak download and upload speeds.
Connectivity
NPU
A dedicated AI accelerator for photo, voice, and on-device machine learning.
Performance
Nanometer
Unit for chip feature size; 3 nm is today's cutting edge for phones and laptops.
Performance