Graphical Processor Units (GPU) are an essential part of most modern smartphones. They improve the performance in the rendering of videos, games, and other graphics. Ten years ago, most phones did not have GPUs.
Leading GPU Manufacturers
In 2015, 8.25% of smartphones did not have an embedded GPU. But by 2019, almost every smartphone (over 99%) had a GPU. More and more, a decent embedded graphics processor has become a necessity in the smartphone market.
In 2019 Q2, the ARM Mali is the most common GPU family, with 39.11% of all smartphones. In 2015, Apple started to manufacture its own GPU for most of its smartphones, now being the second most popular with 25.75%. The Qualcomm Adreno line at 23.49% is the third most used GPU family.
Top GPU Models in Smartphones: 2015 vs 2019
The GPU landscape changed dramatically from 2015 Q2 to 2019 Q2. In 2015, PowerVR models accounted for 5 of the top 10 GPU models. The Qualcomm Adreno 305 was the most used with 12.41%. In 2019 Q2, Apple’s A11 GPU was the most popular with 11.52%, followed by Apple’s A10 at 8.12%. PowerVR GT7600 is the third most popular at 6.32%. It is now the only PowerVR GPU on the top 10 list. The remainder of the top 10 is dominated by ARM Mali and Qualcomm Adreno GPUs.
Fortnite GPU Requirements by Operating System
Fortnite recommends a minimum level of OS version, RAM, and GPU. For Android, it requires OS 64 bit Android 8.0 or higher, 3 GB of RAM or more, and a GPU of Adreno 530 or higher, Mali-G71 MP20, Mali-G72 MP12 or higher. For iOS, Fortnite requires an iPhone SE, 6S, 6S Plus, or newer. 84.27% of iPhone usage today comes from devices that meet Fortnite’s requirements. In contrast, only 19.34% of Android devices in use today meet Fortnite requirements.
Smartphones Meeting Fortnite GPU Requirements by Continent
Looking across various continents, Africa has the lowest percent of iPhones meeting requirements, with 77.36%. However, most continents have iPhone usage above 80%, which is a large share of the iOS market. Oceania has the largest amount of Androids meeting Fortnite requirements with 43.04%. On the other hand, only 5.14% of South American Android usage meets requirements.
Price of Smartphones Meeting Fortnite GPU Requirements
Fortnite’s combination of GPU, RAM, and OS sets a high price for smartphones meeting their requirements. More than 40% of devices meeting these requirements have an MSRP in the $800 – $900 range. 85% of devices that meet requirements are priced higher than $800. Fornite requirements ensure a better gaming and all around smartphone experience, but exclude a large portion of the market who have phones under the $800 price level.
