ARM is usually the architecture used to build a CPU for a mobile device. Processors based on ARM (32 bit) follow a follow a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture. In fact, ARM itself stands for Advanced RISC Machine. ARM processors are simpler to make and thus cheaper. Most instructions are simple and execute in one clock cycle.
Smartphone or any mobile device that depends mostly on battery life for functioning, it probably uses an ARM-based processor. These processors are generally a lot better in comparison to x86 when it comes to power consumption. While processor performance also depends on a lot of other factors such as cache, bus width, etc., ARM processors are usually less powerful in comparison as well.
ARM64 Processors
Desktop grade operating systems and apps, such as Windows 10 and the desktop version of Chrome requires a lot more power to work smoothly. ARM processors couldn’t provide such processing power so ARM64 was introduced. ARM64 is simply evolution of the ARM architecture that supports 64-bit processing. ARM64 processors tend to perform better than ARM processors.
x86 Processors
x86 is a whole different architecture made popular by Intel. Processors made using the x86 architecture are generally used on desktops and laptops.
Processors based on the x86 follow a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architecture. Instructions on x86 processors are mostly complex. Thus, they take up multiple CPU cycles to execute each instruction.
