Multicore CPUs in 45% Of Smartphones By 2015

By Douglas Perry
published

More than one processor isn't enough for future superphones.

The first dual-core processor phones are already on the way and it seems as if multicore phones will be about as common in 2015 as multicore PCs today.

Strategy Analytics estimates that 15% of all smartphone shipped this year will have a multicore processor. By 2015, the penetration will increase to 45% The most popular CPUs will be based on ARM Cortex-A9, A5 and A15 chips as well as Intel's x86 CPUs, Strategy Analytics predicts. “We estimate Samsung will lead the smartphone multi-core applications processor market in 2011, followed by Qualcomm, Nvidia, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments,” said Stuart Robinson, Director of the Strategy Analytics Handset Component Technologies service. 

Plenty of dual-core smartphone have been announced already - the LG Optimus 2x, the Motorola Atrix and Bionic and there is good reason to believe that the iPhone will go dual-core this year as well. Let's also remember that Microsoft said that a 1 GHz single-core CPU is a minimum requirement for a Windows Phone 7 device, so there is incentive to move to multicore rather sooner than later.

Douglas Perry
17 Comments Comment from the forums
  • boiler1990
    45%? That's it? With the multi-cores coming out now (and 15% will be multi-core by the end of 2011), and contracts renewing somewhere between now and 2013, and then again by 2015, I think there'd be more than 45% out there.
    Reply
  • rmmil978
    It would've been a lot more funny to make the phone in the picture a 1980's bag phone.
    Reply
  • kcorp2003
    didn't they said by 2015 you going to get hologram phones?
    Reply
  • I think that number is way too low. Why?

    Because Apple is going to switch to multi core this year, and sales of single core will practically stop with them.

    Microsoft will most likely as well, and they force hardware requirements, so no more single core on MS phones.

    And it seems like the Android guys are going to fight out an arms race in the coming months, because who wants to buy the slowest android phone.

    So what is going to be populating 55% of the market with single core phones by next year? RIM? Nokia?
    Reply
  • snoogins
    RIM will be the other 55% lol
    Reply
  • JOSHSKORN
    Prediction: Cloud computing will be a waste of time. We won't even have Desktops as we know it, but moreso docking stations to project our cell phones onto big screens, use QWERTY keyboards and mice and so forth. Hell, in 2015, we'll be using the old joke "My cell phone can run Crysis!".
    Reply
  • mister g
    I know a dual-core CPU has better performance than a single but unless battery technology evolves just as fast you'll be lucky to hold a charge for 1 day, let alone the 3 day norm.
    Reply
  • enforcer22
    what kind of smart phone holds a charge for 3 freaking days.. i dunno about you but i have a smart phone to use its features and im lucky if its charged by the end of the day. hell most the time i have to keep it plugged in all day just to be able to use it when i get home.
    Reply
  • mister g
    Maybe my info was a little dated but my point about battery life is valid right? Your current single core phone can barely hold a charge for a full day, what do you think is the battery life of a dual-core one?
    Reply
  • enforcer22
    I suppose it depends on how they make the chip. If they use the same exact chip and double it with out one disabling its self under low or no use then yeah. Its going to be kinda crap. I was more agreeing with you but was like who's phone even lasts that long. Im hoping they are keeping battery life in the front of their minds when they are making these phones cuz i can drain one in a mere few hours or sooner depending on what im doing.
    Reply