HiSilicon Kirin 955 vs HiSilicon Kirin 960

The HiSilicon Kirin 955 and Kirin 960 are both processors designed by HiSilicon Technologies, a subsidiary of Huawei. While they share several similarities, there are also key differences in their specifications.

In terms of CPU cores and architecture, both processors feature 8 cores and support the ARMv8-A instruction set. However, there are differences in the architecture of their cores. The Kirin 955 has 4 Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 2.5 GHz and 4 Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz. On the other hand, the Kirin 960 boasts 4 Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and 4 Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz. These differences in architecture and frequencies can have an impact on the processors' performance.

When it comes to the fabrication process, both processors are manufactured using a 16 nm lithography. This allows for a more efficient use of power and increased performance compared to previous generations.

One notable difference between the Kirin 955 and Kirin 960 is the number of transistors. The Kirin 955 has 2000 million transistors, whereas the Kirin 960 has double that amount with 4000 million transistors. This increase in transistors indicates a more complex and advanced design, which can result in better overall performance and efficiency.

In terms of power consumption, both processors have a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 5 Watts. This means that they are designed to operate within this power range, which is a critical factor for mobile devices where battery life is important.

Overall, while the Kirin 955 and Kirin 960 share similarities in terms of the number of cores, instruction set, lithography, and TDP, the Kirin 960 offers advancements in core architecture and an increased number of transistors. These enhancements are likely to result in improved performance and overall efficiency, making the Kirin 960 a more powerful choice for those looking for a high-performance processor.