Is Your iPhone Faster than a Laptop?

                Tech conspiracy theorists are up in arms over the newly released Apple iPhone 6s. Apple’s new A9 SoC is at the source of the discussion. This new “system on a chip” doubles the performance of its predecessor, the A8, and rivals the stats of Apple’s laptops.

                The statistics are interesting in comparison to the 12 inch Apple MacBook, which was launched earlier this year. The MacBook features 3 different processors (with 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 GHz clocks). In a test of both single and multi-core processes, the iPhone 6s beat the MacBook 1.1 and 1.2 GHz and is comparable to the MacBook 1.3 GHz. This is an interesting concept – a small handheld cell phone that can process data faster than a full blown laptop. How is this possible?

                Some new technology has enabled the large jump in performance - one being new FinFET technology. The change in transistor type allows for a decrease in process size from 20 nanometers to 14 nanometers. Tehcnically speaking, this means a decrease in gate length which allows for shorter gate delays. This also means that more transistors can be packed onto a given surface and thus more processing power is possible. FinFETs operate at a slightly lower voltage so the circuit uses less energy. The change is process size is a huge jump technically and has many advantages. This decrease in process size is unique to a few products, including the iPhone 6S and the Samsung Galaxy 6, because it requires an expensive change in equipment for fabrication plants. Only 2-3 companies (including Intel and Samsung) have plants that operate below 16 nanometers so deals to fabrication chips can be tense.

The A9 also includes an improved M9 (compared to the M8). The M9 is a motion coprocessor to run the accelerometer, compass and more that is directly integrated into the A9 to save power and increase performance. There is a new feature, called “Hey Siri”, that allows users to activate Siri at all times by voice commands. Low power modes are very important because battery efficiency is not increasing at the same rate as other technologies are.

Many changes in features and technologies have allowed the iPhone 6S to become one of the forerunners in its industry. Whether you like the iPhone or not, you have to agree that it has some fast transistors.

Written by: Kyra Pastore

Sources:

• http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/07/01/rumor-samsung-lands-orders-to-build-14nm-apple-a9-chip-at-new-york-fab
• http://9to5mac.com/2015/08/14/opinion-what-to-expect-from-apples-a9-chip/