Today, we use phones to access other computer processes like sending emails or skim through Facebook. It is like carrying around a mini computer system in our pockets. This is because the phones are also embedded with an operating system and a processor that you can find in a computer system. Of late, it is also divided into cores, just like a computer.
The processor is the most important part of the computer system. It is responsible for all the processes that the computer executes, including those regarding the functionalities of the operating system itself. Initially, the processor was also known as a single-core processor, as the entire processor monitored each task, one at a time. However, what is a core?
What is a Core and how does it function?
The Core is a division of the processor and are physically divided for convenience. Each of these parts function as a core. A Single-Core processor is the entire processor, a Dual-Core processor has two divisions and a Quad-Core processor has four divisions. Likewise, there are Multi-Core processors. Each of these “parts” or cores splits the time and the workload that the entire processor functions, among themselves.
In a single-core processor (no division of cores), the tasks are done one after another by the microprocessor. Irrespective of the number of tasks to be executed, the processor performs each task one after another. Each task is handled individually and completed.
Smartphones – Android phones
The first multi-core smartphone was the LG Optimus 2X. It consisted a dual-core processor. It was launched on 2010. Since then, researchers and smartphone manufacturers had been working on increasing the number of cores in the smartphone to better its efficiency. Now android phones with an octa-core (8 cores) and deca-core (10 cores) processors have been introduced.
The primary issue however returned. Though the smartphone was delivered with eight cores, only four could work at a time, which means that having more than four cores did not serve the purpose. The battery was drained faster. The overall performance level also depleted. However, hey, wait! Does a smartphone even require a multi-core processor, in the first place?
Is Multi-Core Processor required for our smartphones?
Most people gives thumbs down to this question. The problem that returned, answers the question. If only four cores work at a time, especially in a phone, where the need doesn’t seem to arise, why multi-core? A phone may not actually require so many cores as the workload it has to perform is not as high as a computer.
Nevertheless, multi-tasking in a smartphone is still expensive, in terms of technology. Over-usage or multi-tasking on a phone is very fancy to hear, but that leads to generation of high levels of heat and uses a high amount of battery power as well. Besides, what more can you do on the phone that requires a multi-core processor?
The latest smartphone – Apple’s IPhone 7
The latest smartphone in the market is Apple’s IPhone 7 that comes with a quad-core processor. Apple is known to be the biggest smartphone manufacturer globally and has been on the top charts today. The previous phones by Apple, IPhone 6 and IPhone 6S had a dual-core processor, which many think was better, because for a phone to function, a dual-core is better than more cores in number.
Though IPhone 7 has four cores, it does not indicate that it can multi-task better than the previous versions. How many ever cores you designate in the processor of a smartphone, the tasks executed would not increase per se, but only increase deterioration of the battery and other parts.
On the other hand, it does have its own advantages that you can familiarize yourself with. The final verdict? No, a smartphone need not necessarily require a multi-core processor. It can work well with a dual-core, if the user prefers.