Phone Processor Ranking List: The Best of 2023

Why do we have phone processor ranking? Every year, manufacturers of mobile phone processors release new products for the industry. Every, year, cell phone enthusiasts hunt for the phones powered by the best of them. This year 2023 has been no different. A number of cell phone processors have been released. Some offer better gaming performance, some are excellent at conserving battery power, others excel at providing a quality camera experience, and a few deliver a fantastic overall user experience.

We have identified the best processor for mobile this year and compiled the top phone processor ranking list, tailored to help cell phone users in America quickly identify the top cell phone processors for making informed choices when selecting their next smartphone.

Phone Processor Ranking List 2023

What is a Processor or CPU?

A processor is an electronic circuit that handles the instructions and calculations of a computing device, e.g. phones, PCs, laptops, etc. Your average smartphone has multiple processors in it, as today’s mobile processors come equipped with advanced processing threads. These include Artificial Intelligence Engine and Image Signal Processors. They are programmed to handle various tasks, including computation, voice calling, image processing, camera calibration, and cellular networking.

These processors are the intelligent mobile processors of the next generation and are commonly referred to as System-on-Chip (SoC). The complexity of these SoCs requires rigorous testing to identify their essential advancements and performance capabilities, a process known as benchmarking. In summary, processors pretty much control everything about the mobile device.

What is benchmarking?

Benchmarking is an industry-level technique that evaluates an SoC’s performance based on specific metrics. After thorough testing, these metrics are transformed into a score representing the SoC’s capabilities. The benchmark tests include assessing gaming performance, battery efficiency, and overall CPU performance. This helps consumers determine the computing power of different SoCs and make informed decisions while choosing their next mobile device. As such, our phone processor ranking is built on benchmark results.

Best Phone Processor Ranking for 2023

For cell phone users in the United States of America seeking the best processor for their mobile devices, we have compiled a list of the top 10 phone processors with names of smartphones that use them in the country. If you are a power user, these are the processors to look for when picking your next smartphone.

  1. Apple A17 Bionic: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
  2. Apple A16 Bionic: Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 15 Plus, Apple iPhone 14 Pro, Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
  3. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S23+, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
  4. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, Nothing Phone 2
  5. MediaTek Dimensity 9200:
  6. MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus: Asus ROG Phone 6D, Asus ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition
  7. Apple A15 Bionic: Apple iPhone 13, Apple iPhone 13 Mini, Apple iPhone 13 Pro, Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple iPhone SE 2022, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus.
  8. MediaTek Dimensity 9000: OnePlus Nord 3, OnePlus 10R
  9. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1: OnePlus 10 Pro
  10. Apple A14 Bionic: Apple iPhone 12

Which Mobile Processor is Best For Gaming?

For users who prioritize gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking, the top-tier, highest-scoring chipsets are the ideal choice. That means any smartphone using any one of the above processors is excellent for gaming. However, if you are on a tight budget, you can purchase a phone with processors slightly below the above (take the numbers in their names as a guide).

Phone Processor Ranking Verdict: The Best Processor for Mobile

Selecting the best processor for your mobile device depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize photography, gaming, or a balanced smartphone experience, our “best processor for mobile” list includes options to cater to every power user. Understanding the capabilities of different mobile processors will empower you to make an informed decision when purchasing your next smartphone.

Having said that, the overall best processor for mobile as at September 2023 is the Apple A17 Bionic, the same chip that powers the new iPhone 15 Pro series. If you are not a fan of Apple’s closed ecosystem, the best processor for Android phones right now is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Its successor, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, is expected to be announced in October.