Smartphones are powered by a central processing unit (CPU) which drives the device function and ultimately defines its processing power. The CPU in a device ensures that millions of transistors, memory cells, logic elements are in tune and perform in the right sequence, with the help of a crystal oscillator circuit which utilizes mechanical resonance to create electrical signals with precision frequency (Kakalios, 2018).
One of the major concepts in CPU microchips is the number of transistors it holds. Transistors are building blocks of integrated circuits in a modern CPU, which may contain millions of transistors in microscopic size. Transistors include three connection points or terminals which connect to one another or other components. When the current between the first and second terminals is modified, it changes the current between the second and third. The transistor essentially acts as an on-off switch since computers operate in binary. A series of transistors can be used to form a logic gate for performing logical operations.
Modern transistors are microscopic in size, measured in nanometers. As of 2020, modern smartphone CPUs have transistors between 7 and 10nm in size. The smaller the transistors become, the greater amount can be fitted into one microchip, allowing for the device to become fast, more efficient, and require less electricity to operate (better battery life). For years, the electronics industry has been guided by an axiom known as Moore’s Law, developed by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore. Moore’s Law suggests that the number of transistors in a CPU doubles every two years. It was an ambitious projection, which in 1965, predicted the rapid technological boom in electronic and mobile technology (Flamm, 2017).
Moore’s Law held true until recently experts indicate that the exponential increase in power is not possible. As modern transistors and scale of chip components reach the level of individual atoms, it becomes impossible by the laws of physics to implement such a rapid pace of growth. However, technical capabilities are still expanding, albeit very expensive, and allow to stretch silicon transistor technology as microchips are expected to enter 5-6 nm territory this year on top devices such as iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones. Even though Moore’s Law is slowing down it continues to improve with technology such as with Intel’s new technology which allows for 3D chip stacking that stacks chip elements vertically, allowing for a dramatic increase in performance as well (Tibken, 2019).
How do these physics and technical aspects fit together in everyday life and the impact of smartphone electronics devices? As evident, due to the increased number of transistors, CPUs have become incredibly powerful. Common anecdotal evidence is that the smartphone one holds in your hand right now is at least 10 times more powerful than those computers used during the early Apollo missions to send a man to the moon, in times when one transistor easily fits in a person’s hand.
This processing power has changed people’s lives as the smartphone has become a universal device combining functions of multiple devices from only 20 years ago such as a calculator, television, camera, telephone, computer among many others. This is revolutionizing since the functions allow for efficiency, mobility, and connectivity among the population.
First, it is necessary to examine the innovations that the smartphone has brought to the industry for which it was originally intended – communication. The smartphone with its operating and other technological capabilities has created numerous possibilities to communicate. It is now possible to not only make phone calls and send text messages but engage in live communication. Multiple social media platforms formed and grew as a result of smartphones, allowing for instant messaging, sharing of posts and images, and other entertainment-based exchanges. It also allows for possibilities such as video chatting connecting people via video across the world easily as well as features such as video conferencing and lives editing of documents that can be used in professional settings (Silver et al., 2019).
However, in recent years, smartphones have progressed beyond simple communication and the technologies found numerous daily life applications. Smartphones are now used for navigation, shopping, ordering services, conducting research. Entertainment availability is a major aspect of smartphones by enabling capabilities to play games, watch videos, and read the news on one screen. The technology has yielded tremendous societal benefits allowing access to banks, healthcare advice, and education in regions where these institutions may be lacking. The devices now allow people to track their health by measuring heart rate and allowing them to track micronutrients and healthy behaviors (Bhattacharjee, 2019).
All these capabilities are possible due to the processing power of mobile CPUs that only continue to push the boundaries of technological capabilities. There are greater improvements with each year as smartphone cameras improve and new features are added such as virtual reality or advanced health diagnostic tools, which working in combination with other accessories can further revolutionize applications of mobile technology.
The smartphone will undoubtedly have continuing impacts on society, as it has already changed the manner that people communicate, and numerous social behaviors. It has also given users much more autonomy as consumers, clients, patients, and citizens that will continue to increase as the now everyday device becomes more powerful.
References
Bhattacharjee, Y. (2019). Smartphones revolutionize our lives—but at what cost? National Geographic. Web.
Flamm, K. (2017). Has Moore’s Law been repealed? An economist’s perspective. Computing in Science & Engineering, 19(2), 29-40. Web.
Kakalios, J. (2018). The physics of everyday things: The extraordinary science behind an ordinary day. Hachette UK.
Silver, L., Smith, A., Johnson, C., Jiang, J., Anderson, M., & Rainie, L. (2019). The use of smartphones and social media is common across most emerging economies. Web.
Tibken, S. (2019). CES 2019: Moore’s Law is dead, says Nvidia’s CEO. C-net. Web.