Smartphone processor head-to-head: Intel Atom vs Nvidia Tegra 3 vs Samsung Exynos vs Qualcomm Snapdragon

Real-world Tests

Unlike the synthetic testing, the real-world results don't correct for the number of cores - although the adjusted scores do scale down for a theoretical 1GHz implementation to level the playing field. The score is achieved by combining the results of two popular real-world benchmarking packages, Qualcomm's own Vellamo and Futuremark's Peacekeeper. Both measure performance on common web browsing tasks - one of the main functions of a smartphone.

Real world results - Adjusted

Real world results - Adjusted

This time the results delivered less of a surprise. Samsung's Exynos chip proved the fastest on test, easily outpacing its rivals in both the PeaceKeeper and Vellamo tests.

Coming up close behind was Intel's Atom, which even when robbed of its 2GHz clock-speed advantage shone in the in-browser PeaceKeeper benchmark testing. This is more evidence that Intel is onto something with its Atom architecture, and ARM's various licensees should watch out.

Nvidia's Tegra 3 placed bottom this time, with the Peacekeeper testing in particular performing extremely slowly. Without the advantage of a 1.5GHz clock speed, the graphics giant's design just doesn't measure up to the competition.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Pro proved distinctly middling too, performing well on the Vellamo test - created, it must be noted, by Qualcomm's own software engineering division - but failing to make much of an impact on third-party PeaceKeeper test.

Real world results - Actual

Real world results - Actual

Looking at the actual in-handset performance, rather than a theoretical 1GHz implementation, things are close at the top end: here Intel's clock-speed advantage pips the Exynos 4412 to the post. At the bottom end Nvidia still trails behind even Qualcomm's surprisingly slow Snapdragon S4 Pro.

Gareth Halfacree

Gareth Halfacree is an experienced tech journalist and IT professional, and has been writing since 2006. In addition to contributing article for ITPro, Gareth has been featured in publications such as PC Pro, Techmeme, The Register, The MagPi, and Tom’s Hardware.

In addition to his digital articles, Gareth is the author of several best-selling books. These include the Raspberry Pi User Guide, an essential text for those looking to get started with their Raspberry Pi, as well as The Official Raspberry Pi Beginner’s Guide. Gareth also wrote the Official BBC micro:bit User Guide, a comprehensive guide to setting up the pocket-sized computer, learning to code on it, and even creating your own hardware addons.