HiSilicon Kirin 960 vs MediaTek Dimensity 800U

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The HiSilicon Kirin 960 and the MediaTek Dimensity 800U are two processors with distinct specifications.

Starting with the HiSilicon Kirin 960, it features a CPU architecture consisting of 4 Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and 4 Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz. This octa-core processor operates on the ARMv8-A instruction set and has a lithography size of 16 nm. With around 4000 million transistors, it offers high performance with a relatively low thermal design power (TDP) of 5 Watts.

On the other hand, the MediaTek Dimensity 800U utilizes a different CPU architecture. It combines 2 Cortex-A76 cores with a clock speed of 2.4 GHz and 6 Cortex-A55 cores with a frequency of 2.0 GHz. Similar to the Kirin 960, it also has 8 cores and operates on the ARMv8.2-A instruction set. However, the Dimensity 800U surpasses the Kirin 960 in terms of nanometer lithography, as it is built on a more advanced 7 nm process. Additionally, the Dimensity 800U boasts a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) which enhances the device's AI capabilities.

Comparing these two processors, it is evident that they have differences in their CPU architecture, clock speeds, lithography size, and additional features. The Kirin 960 offers a balanced combination of high-performance cores and power-efficient cores. It is built on a 16 nm process, making it suitable for devices where thermal management is crucial. On the other hand, the Dimensity 800U focuses on higher clock speeds with its Cortex-A76 cores and utilizes the benefits of a smaller 7 nm lithography, resulting in improved power efficiency.

In summary, both processors have their own strengths and target different market segments. The Kirin 960 prioritizes efficient performance, while the Dimensity 800U emphasizes advanced AI capabilities and power efficiency. The choice between the two would ultimately depend on the specific requirements and priorities of the device and its intended usage.

CPU cores and architecture

Architecture 4x 2.4 GHz – Cortex-A73
4x 1.8 GHz – Cortex-A53
2x 2.4 GHz – Cortex-A76
6x 2.0 GHz – Cortex-A55
Number of cores 8 8
Instruction Set ARMv8-A ARMv8.2-A
Lithography 16 nm 7 nm
Number of transistors 4000 million
TDP 5 Watt
Neural Processing NPU

Memory (RAM)

Max amount up to 6 GB up to 12 GB
Memory type LPDDR4 LPDDR4X
Memory frequency 1866 MHz 2133 MHz
Memory-bus 2x32 bit 2x16 bit

Storage

Storage specification UFS 2.1 UFS 2.2

Graphics

GPU name Mali-G71 MP8 Mali-G57 MP3
GPU Architecture Bifrost Valhall
GPU frequency 900 MHz 850 MHz
Execution units 8 3
Shaders 128 48
DirectX 11.3 12
OpenCL API 1.2 2.1
OpenGL API ES 3.2
Vulkan API 1.0 1.2

Camera, Video, Display

Max screen resolution 2520x1080@120Hz
Max camera resolution 1x 20MP, 2x 12MP 1x 64MP, 1x 20MP + 1x 16MP
Max Video Capture 4K@30fps 4K@30FPS
Video codec support H.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
VP8
VP9
H.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
VP9

Wireless

4G network Yes Yes
5G network Yes Yes
Peak Download Speed 0.6 Gbps 2.77 Gbps
Peak Upload Speed 0.15 Gbps 1.2 Gbps
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) 5 (802.11ac)
Bluetooth 4.2 5.1
Satellite navigation BeiDou
GPS
Galileo
GLONASS
BeiDou
GPS
Galileo
GLONASS
QZSS

Supplemental Information

Launch Date 2016 October 2020 Quarter 3
Partnumber Hi3660 MT6853V, MT6853V/TNZA, MT6853/TNZA, MT6853T
Vertical Segment Mobiles Mobiles
Positioning Flagship Mid-end

AnTuTu 10

Total Score
Kirin 960
253892
Dimensity 800U
401197

GeekBench 6 Single-Core

Score
Kirin 960
382
Dimensity 800U
614

GeekBench 6 Multi-Core

Score
Kirin 960
1544
Dimensity 800U
1821