A system-on-chip (SoC) is a compact integrated circuit that combines all the essential components of a computer or electronic system onto a single chip. This includes the central processing unit (CPU), memory, input/output ports, and sometimes even graphics processing units (GPUs). SoCs are commonly used in devices like smartphones, tablets, and embedded systems due to their efficiency and reduced size. By integrating multiple functions into one chip, SoCs help save space and power, making them ideal for portable devices. They enable faster communication between components and can lead to improved performance. Examples of SoCs include those used in Apple's iPhone and Qualcomm's Snapdragon series.