These processors are made of nanomaterials—molecules and atoms less than 100 nanometers (nm) in size that exhibit different properties than their larger-particle counterparts: some enhanced nanomaterial characteristics include lighter weight, higher strength, and greater chemical reactivity. Because of these special qualities, nanomaterials have the potential to transform a number of industries from consumer tech to energy and health.

So exactly how small is 10nm? It’s the size of a few dozen water molecules, or 1,000 times smaller than a strand of hair*. Chips at the 10nm size have a significantly smaller footprint than their 14nm predecessors, which means device manufacturers have more usable space to support larger batteries or slimmer phone designs.

Less space doesn’t mean less processing horsepower, however. The 10nm node will help Snapdragon 835 processors achieve high quality power efficiency and performance while opening up territory for new mobile experiences.

Samsung’s new 10nm FinFET process, for instance, allows up to a 30 percent increase in area efficiency with a 27 percent improvement in performance or up to 40 percent less power consumption compared to the previous version. These process improvements, combined with a more advanced chip design, can create significant battery life enhancements.

Despite its diminutive form, a chip of this size can open up critical space and introduce major performance gains, giving Snapdragon 835 users more room in their devices for cutting-edge features and superior mobile experiences.

Stay tuned for much more information coming up on the ground-breaking Snapdragon 835.