64-Bit Apple A7 Processor Is A "Marketing Gimmick" Says QUALCOMM Exec

When Apple unveiled its new iPhone 5S it excitedly grabbed the distinction of using the first 64-bit processor in a smartphone. It didn't take long for Samsung to step up and say that it would be using 64-bit processors and some of its future devices. Samsung hasn't offered any further details on when it might begin using 64-bit processors, but according to a QUALCOMM executive there may not be any real benefit to using them now.

QUALCOMM chief marketing officer Anand Chandrasekher says that Apple's 64-bit A7 processor is a "marketing gimmick." The executive says that there are zero benefit for the consumer to using a 64-bit processor. Most of us know that 64-bit processors are capable of addressing more memory, but the iPhone 5S has is only 1 GB of RAM.

Chandrasekher says that a 64-bit processor isn't required to address 1 GB of RAM and typically 64-bit processing is only needed to address memory above 4 GB. Clearly, the mobile market is very far from 4 GB of RAM today.

Despite feeling that 64-bit processors are a marketing gimmick, QUALCOMM is likely working on its own 64-bit processors now. The executive stated that he thinks the drive to move to 64-bit processors for tablets and smartphones won't be aimed at addressing more memory, but that move will be "beneficial from engineering, chip design, and OSes standpoints."

SOURCE: Android Community