The Best Mobile and Laptop Processors of 2024: A Detailed Look
Are you a tech enthusiast eager to know which processors dominated the mobile and laptop markets in 2024? Dive in as we unveil the top contenders that powered the most premium smartphones and laptops, along with some surprises that redefined performance standards. Get ready for a deep-dive into the heart of 2024's tech innovation!
MediaTek Dimensity 9300: A Strong Start
The year began with MediaTek's Dimensity 9300 making waves, powering early flagship smartphones like the Vivo X100 Pro and Vivo X100. This 6nm octa-core processor boasted an impressive setup—four super cores and four large cores, combined with the capable Arm Immortalis G720 GPU. While not the absolute top performer throughout the entire year, its early appearance set a high bar for the competition and showcased MediaTek's prowess in the high-performance mobile space. The MediaTek Dimensity 9300 demonstrated that affordable flagship technology doesn't always mean compromise.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: The Reigning Champion
Undoubtedly, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 reigned supreme as the most widely adopted processor in premium flagship phones during 2024. This powerful chipset was the driving force behind industry leaders such as the OnePlus 12, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Xiaomi 14, iQOO 12, and even the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro. Its widespread adoption speaks volumes about its capability and appeal among top-tier manufacturers. This top mobile processor offered an amazing balance between performance and energy efficiency.
Snapdragon 4s Gen 2: Affordable 5G Power
Qualcomm's commitment to affordability was apparent in the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2. Specifically designed for budget-friendly 5G smartphones, this processor was featured in notable devices such as the Redmi A4 5G and the Poco M7 Pro. While not focusing on top-end features, it effectively broadened access to advanced connectivity, making 5G available to a wider market, highlighting a major achievement in mobile processor evolution. The availability of this technology in affordable smartphones made a great contribution to 2024 mobile device evolution.
MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and Snapdragon 8 Elite: Latecomers with AI Focus
The end of 2024 saw the arrival of formidable contenders: MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the surprisingly named Snapdragon 8 Elite (skipping the typical Gen 4 nomenclature). The Dimensity 9400 further solidified MediaTek's position as a key player in high-end mobile processing. The Snapdragon 8 Elite, on the other hand, made a striking entrance by placing its focus on enhanced Generative AI capabilities. This reflected the burgeoning importance of AI in high-end mobile and desktop processing throughout the year.
Beyond Mobile: Snapdragon X Elite Brings AI to Laptops
The year 2024 was about more than just mobile phones; laptops were also significantly affected by advancements in processing power. The focus on Generative AI features was significant enough that laptop manufacturers implemented creative solutions such as custom AI buttons for ease of access to new AI tools. Qualcomm's answer to this challenge came in the form of the Snapdragon X Elite processor, which featured a dedicated NPU for handling AI tasks. Devices such as the Asus Vivobook S 15, HP Elitebook Ultra G1q, and even some Surface laptops incorporated this powerful processor, leading the way toward seamless Gen AI integration on PCs.
Intel Core Ultra 200V Series: An x86 Powerhouse
Intel continued to show its dominance with the impressive Core Ultra 200V series, which showcased remarkable advances in x86 computing. Its performance gains were made possible due to advancements in CPU performance alongside upgrades to their built-in Intel Xe2 graphics, and most importantly, the inclusion of a new NPU enabling superior AI performance, enabling up to 120 TOPS and even improving gaming performance up to 50% according to early tests. Laptops such as the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED and HP OmniBook Ultra Flip showcased its capabilities in mainstream computers.
Conclusion: A Year of Remarkable Progress
2024 marked significant strides in mobile and laptop processor technology, notably in the incorporation of AI capabilities into both mobile and laptop hardware and improved focus on affordability and access. Several processors emerged as clear leaders, but each innovation highlights a push towards enhanced performance and power efficiency. As technology progresses, we anticipate seeing even more innovative processing developments that may introduce other improvements we can only imagine today.
Take Away Points
- The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 dominated premium smartphone markets in 2024.
- MediaTek offered solid alternatives, such as the Dimensity 9300 and 9400, for all levels of customers
- Qualcomm also launched processors such as the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 and Snapdragon X Elite aimed at wider adoption of new mobile and laptop hardware capabilities such as 5G and Generative AI features.
- Intel made significant advancements with the Core Ultra 200V series, boosting x86 performance.
- 2024 showed a strong emphasis on integrating AI features into both mobile and laptop processors.