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Qualcomm Introduces Snapdragon 6 Gen 4: A Significant Performance Upgrade
Qualcomm has unveiled its latest mobile processor, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, marking a substantial enhancement compared to its predecessor and introducing a new design philosophy. This new chip optimizes performance, efficiency, gaming capabilities, AI integration, as well as photography and audio functionalities.
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is a notable milestone in the series as it is the first to be manufactured using TSMC’s 4nm process, transitioning from previous offerings which utilized a Samsung 4nm node and a TSMC 6nm node.
This generation has adopted advanced ARMv9 architecture, featuring a main Cortex-A720 core running at 2.3GHz, complemented by three additional Cortex-A720 cores at 2.2GHz, and four Cortex-A520 cores clocked at 1.8GHz. This shift from the older ARMv8 design (which employed Cortex-A78 and A55) signifies a leap towards improved processing capabilities.
While the new CPU design does offer improvements, benchmark results show only an 11% increase in performance over the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in single-threaded applications using Geekbench 5.2, which presents a contrast to expectations from such an upgrade.
Conversely, the Adreno GPU integrated within the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 shows a more pronounced enhancement, boasting a 29% uplift in graphics performance compared to its predecessor. While Qualcomm has not disclosed detailed specifications for this GPU, the upgrade represents a significant advantage for gaming and graphic-intensive applications. Additionally, the new chipset achieves a 12% increase in energy efficiency, further contributing to its appeal.
This generation also introduces support for INT4 optimized models, allowing for larger AI models to operate within confined memory environments. Qualcomm is already working on an AI-driven text summarization tool, although specifics regarding memory requirements for running large language models were not detailed.
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 supports a maximum of 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM (up to 3,200MHz), with LPDDR4X options available for more budget-friendly devices. It includes UFS 3.1 storage support, and features wired connectivity through USB-C 3.1, capable of driving external displays at resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz, alongside support for HDR10+ and 10-bit colors.
Regarding display capabilities, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 can manage screens with resolutions surpassing 1080p at refresh rates of up to 144Hz. Gaming technology has evolved to increasingly leverage capabilities synonymous with desktop graphics; thus, the Adreno GPU now supports Snapdragon Game Super Resolution, enabling upscaling for gaming visuals up to 4K, alongside the Adreno Frame Motion Engine, which doubles frame rates while conserving battery life.
Comparative Overview
| Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Node | Samsung 4nm | TSMC 4nm | TSMC 4nm |
| CPU, Prime | – | 1x Cortex-A720 @ 2.3GHz | 1x Cortex-A720 @ 2.5GHz |
| CPU, Big | 4x Cortex-A78 @ 2.4GHz | 3x Cortex-A720 @ 2.2GHz | 3x Cortex-A720 @ 2.4GHz |
| CPU, Small | 4x Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz | 4x Cortex-A520 @ 1.8GHz | 4x Cortex-A520 @ 1.8GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | +29% performance vs. Gen 3 | Adreno 810 |
| RAM | up to 12GB LPDDR5 3,200MHz LPDDR4x 2,133MHz |
up to 16GB LPDDR5 3,200MHz LPDDR4x 2,133MHz |
up to 16GB LPDDR5 3,200MHz LPDDR4x 2,133MHz |
| Storage | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Display | up to 1080p+ @ 120Hz | up to 1080p+ @ 144Hz | up to 1080p+ @ 144Hz |
| 5G | sub-6GHz, mmWave 2.9Gbps |
sub-6GHz, mmWave 2.9Gbps |
sub-6GHz, mmWave 2.9Gbps |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| USB | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 3.1 |
| ISP | 3x 12-bit | 3x 12-bit | 3x 12-bit |
| Camera | 200MP, 48MP zero shutter lag | 200MP, 64MP zero shutter lag | 200MP, 64MP zero shutter lag |
| Video | 4K HDR @ 30fps (HLG) | 4K HDR @ 30fps (HLG, HDR10) | 4K HDR @ 30fps (HLG, HDR10) |
| Charging | Quick Charge 4+ | Quick Charge 4+ | Quick Charge 4+ |
The camera specifications highlight the chip’s capability to accommodate sensors up to 200MP, backed by triple 12-bit ISPs. While it supports 4K HDR video recording, the frame rate is capped at 30fps at this resolution. Video formats like HDR10 and HLG, along with 10-bit HEIF for photo processing, enhance the multimedia experience, although there is no support for AV1 codec playback.
On the connectivity front, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 does not shy away from modern standards. Its integrated 5G modem covers sub-6GHz and mmWave frequencies, reaching maximum downlink speeds of 2.9Gbps. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E, which encompasses the 6GHz band, and incorporates Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive support. A triple frequency GPS receiver enhances location accuracy across various scenarios.
Prominent smartphone manufacturers, including Realme, Oppo, and Honor, are already planning to release devices powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, with India projected to be one of the initial markets. While exact launch dates are yet to be confirmed, the pricing strategy aims for an approachable range of $100-$150, making this chipset an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
Source
www.gsmarena.com