What is NPU on the HP chipset? This is a function that you must know
In recent years, the term NPU or Neural Processing Unit More and more often in the specifications of the smartphone. Many manufacturers such as Qualcomm, MediaTek, to Apple highlight the presence of NPUs on their chipsets. However, not all users know what the NPU function really is and why its existence is important in a modern smartphone.
This article will discuss in full what is npu on the cellphone chipset, how it works, and its benefits in the daily activities of smartphone users.
What is NPU on the HP chipset?
Simply put, NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is a processor component specifically designed to handle tasks Artificial Intelligence (AI / Artificial Intelligence). If the CPU (Central Processing Unit) functions as the main brain and the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) processes the visual display, then the NPU focuses on processing data related to the data. Machine Learning (Machine Learning) and Neural network.
According to KompasTekno, NPU is designed so that mobile phones can process AI data faster and more efficient without having to rely on the cloud. This means that many smart functions on HP can now be done directly on the device — starting from Face recognition, Instant translator, until Improved camera photo results.
A Brief History and Development of NPU
Initially, the AI feature on the smartphone was run by the CPU or GPU, but the results were less efficient and wasted on power. New around 2017, the concept Special NPU Introduced by Huawei through the chipset Kirin 970, which is claimed to be the first processor with an integrated NPU.
After that, various other chipset manufacturers followed the same steps:
| Year | Producer | chipset | NPU technology introduced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Huawei | Kirin 970 | First NPU for AI On-Device |
| 2018 | Apple | A12 Bionic | First Generation Neural Engine |
| 2019 | Qualcomm | Snapdragon 855 | AI Engine with Hexagon DSP |
| 2020 | MediaTek | Dimensity 1000 | APU (AI Processing Unit) |
| 2023 | Samsung | Exynos 2400 | Fourth generation NPU with high efficiency |
This development shows that NPU is now a The main standard of modern chipset, is no longer an additional feature.
How NPU works
NPU works by principle Neural network, mimics the way the human brain processes information. This unit is trained to recognize patterns of data — such as a certain face, voice, or object — and make decisions based on the learning outcomes.
Technically, NPU processes data in the form of Tensor (multidimensional array), which makes it very efficient in running algorithms Deep Learning.
Different from CPUs that work serially (one command per time), NPU is capable of processing thousands of data in parallel, makes its performance much faster for AI tasks.
Example:
When you open the camera and the system recognizes the face, it is NPU’s work.
When the cellphone adjusts the automatic lighting to make the photo look more natural, the NPU is working behind the screen again.
the main function of the npu on the hp chipset
Here are some of the main functions npu on modern smartphone:
1. Camera Quality Improvement
NPU processes images in real-time to produce photos that are sharper, less noise, and have natural colors. According to GSM Arena, this technology allows features such as Scene Recognition, NIGHT MODE, and HDR AI Runs fast without burdening the CPU.
2. Face and fingerprint recognition
Biometric security systems are now much faster and more accurate thanks to NPU. This unit is able to recognize the user’s face pattern or fingerprint in milliseconds, even in minimal lighting conditions.
3. Optimization of performance and power
NPU can learn from user habits. For example, recognizing applications that are often opened and allocating resources to save more battery.
4. Voice translation and transcription
features such as Google Translate Offline and Voice Assistant (e.g. Siri, Google Assistant) relies on NPU to understand the language context and provide a quick response.
5. Video and AR Processing
For Augmented Reality (AR) applications and camera filters, NPU plays a big role in detecting movement and adjusting effects in real-time.
NPU vs CPU vs GPU Comparison
To understand more clearly the role of NPU, here is a short comparison table:
| Component | main focus | Excellence | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | General processing | Flexible, supports all tasks | inefficient for AI |
| GPU | Graphic processing | Able to parallel high | Waste of power when used for AI |
| NPU | AI processing | Efficient, fast, energy efficient | Special for AI tasks only |
With this division of tasks, HP’s overall performance becomes more stable and battery life increases.
NPU on the famous chipset today
Some examples of NPUs that are widely used in modern chipsets include:
Qualcomm Hexagon AI Engine In the Snapdragon series (eg Snapdragon 8 Gen 3).
Apple Neural Engine On the A17 Pro used on the iPhone 15 Pro.
Mediatek APU 780 ai In the Dimensity 9300 series.
samsung exynos npu gen 4 with high power efficiency.
Each manufacturer has a different approach, but the goal is the same: Increase device intelligence without sacrificing energy efficiency.
the impact of npu for everyday users
According to The Verge report, the existence of the NPU is not only for speed, but also Make your phone smarter and more responsive to user needs. Here are the effects on daily life:
More beautiful automatic photos: The camera adjusts the contrast, saturation, and face details automatically.
Mobile phones are more battery efficient: Because NPU manages resources according to the pattern of use.
Applications respond faster: Includes virtual assistants and games that use AI.
Increased security: The user’s face can be recognized accurately without having to be online.
Challenges and the future of NPU
Although it is very sophisticated, the development of the NPU still has challenges:
Performance Standards: Not all NPUs have the same performance benchmarks.
Application Compatibility: Many applications have not fully utilized the potential of the NPU.
Power consumption when multitasking AI: Although economical, excessive use still affects the battery.
But in the future, the NPU will continue to evolve towards the system AI Generative On-Device, where the phone is able to process content such as images, text, and sound without an internet connection. Qualcomm and Apple have even started to integrate capabilities AI generative straight into their latest generation NPU.
FAQ (frequently asked questions)
1. Do all HP have NPUs?
No. Only the upper middle class chipsets usually have an integrated NPU. However, future trends suggest this feature will be the standard across all segments.
2. Can the NPU be upgraded?
Can’t. NPU is part of the chipset, so it cannot be replaced or upgraded separately.
3. Is NPU only for camera?
No. In addition to the camera, NPU is used for voice recognition, security, power management, to AI applications such as ChatGPT or smart assistants.
4. What is the difference between NPU and APU in MediaTek?
Functionally the same. MediaTek calls its AI component as APU (AI Processing Unit), just different marketing terms.
Conclusion
From the explanation above, now you know that npu on the cellphone chipset Not just additional features, but important components that make smartphones smarter and more efficient. With the ability to process AI data quickly, NPU helps improve camera quality, performance, security, and convenience of use.
In the future, the role of NPU will be even greater as technology develops AI generative on mobile devices. So, when you see HP specifications with “AI Engine” or “Neural Processor”, you already know that that’s the smart brain that makes the phone smarter.
