OVERVIEW

What is C1-Premium?

Sub-Flagship CPU for Mobile SoCs

C1-Premium is the first sub-flagship Arm CPU for mobile SoCs and AI inference at the edge. Built on the Armv9.3-A architecture, it delivers peak performance, always-on readiness, and advanced power efficiency.

 

Ideal for heterogeneous compute clusters, C1-Premium complements C1-Ultra and C1-Pro to scale performance and power dynamically. It enables SoC architects, OEMs, and silicon partners to build differentiated mobile and edge devices that balance responsiveness, efficiency, and silicon cost.


BENEFITS

Why C1-Premium Matters for Mobile and Edge AI?

Sub-Flagship CPU

Delivers flagship-level performance with a smaller footprint, ideal for space and thermally constrained designs.

Intelligence at the Edge

Brings smart task handling to mobile devices, such as automating background compute, context awareness, and adaptive performance in real time.

Designed for Battery-First Performance

Supports all-day use cases with minimal energy impact.

Bigger Opportunity, Scalable Performance

Sub-flagship-level performance opens up new market opportunities.

FEATURES

Premium-Class Performance in An Area-Optimized Core

  • Instruction Set Architecture (ISA): Armv9.3-A.
  • AI Extensions: SME2-capable for scalable AI acceleration.
  • Cache Subsystem: Expanded L1 and configurable L2 (up to 2 MB).
  • Area Efficiency: Up to 35% lower area than C1-Ultra.1
  • Microarchitecture: Advanced frontend predictors and wide decode/vector units.
  • Performance Optimization: Designed for high sustained IPC at a smaller area footprint compared to C1-Ultra.
Arm C1 Premium Block Diagram
SPECIFICATIONS

C1-Premium Specifications

C1-Premium is the sub-flagship Armv9.3-A CPU, purpose-built for sub-flagship mobile SoCs and intelligent edge devices. It delivers exceptional power efficiency, always-on readiness, and lightweight AI inferencing in a constrained area and thermal footprint. C1-Premium integrates seamlessly with Arm Lumex CSS Platform clusters, complementing C1-Ultra and C1-Pro in a scalable big.LITTLE configuration.

Visit Arm Developer for more details.

Key Documentations

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Talk with an Expert

Learn how C1-Premium CPU can help you create superior AI experiences on consumer devices.

Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions: C1-Premium CPU

1. What is the C1-Premium CPU?

C1-Premium is the sub-flagship CPU core built on the Armv9.3-A architecture. Designed for sub-flagship mobile SoCs, it delivers power-efficient performance, always-on readiness, and AI acceleration for lightweight edge inference.

2. What makes C1-Premium different from other Arm CPU ‘big’ cores like C1-Ultra or C1-Pro ?

C1-Premium is optimized for area and power, making it ideal as a LITTLE core in big.LITTLE cluster configurations. While C1-Ultra and C1-Pro focus on peak performance, C1-Premium handles background tasks and AI inference efficiently, extending battery life and enabling smarter mobile experiences.

 3. Is C1-Premium suitable for AI workloads?

Yes. C1-Premium features SME2 acceleration, which enables efficient matrix math operations required for on-device AI inference. It is designed for lightweight, real-time AI tasks like voice recognition, sensor fusion, and contextual awareness on mobile devices.

 4. What software tools support C1-Premium?

C1-Premium is fully aligned with the Android ecosystem and Arm Total Compute design flows. It supports the Arm KleidiAI libraries and runtime inference stacks, making it easy for developers to build and deploy AI models efficiently.
5. Where can I find technical documentation for C1-Premium?

1. Compared to previous generation. Testing done internally, April 1-April 15, 2025; actual results may vary.