A mobile processor that promises to revolutionize the affordable high-end market with improvements of 31% in CPU, 49% in GPU, and 44% in AI compared to the previous generation.
Qualcomm has officially announced the launch of the new Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, a mobile processor that aims to dominate the affordable high-end segment of the Android ecosystem. This new SoC (System-on-Chip) comes with notable improvements across the board: a 31% increase in CPU performance, 49% in GPU, and 44% in artificial intelligence capabilities compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.
Built using TSMC’s 4-nanometer manufacturing process, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 features an 8-core architecture with a main Arm Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3.2 GHz and seven Arm Cortex-A720 cores ranging from 2 to 3 GHz, providing a balance between power and energy efficiency.
Next-Level Graphics Power and Gaming Experience
One of the big surprises is its new Adreno GPU—based on a “sliced” architecture—though the exact model has not been specified, it is suspected that it could derive from the Adreno 830 used in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 X Elite, albeit with some cuts. This GPU includes the Adreno Frame Motion Engine 2.0, a technology that allows for AI-generated frames, similar to DLSS or FSR, potentially doubling the FPS in mobile gaming.
The chip also includes all the features of the Snapdragon Elite Gaming suite, such as real-time ray tracing with global illumination, intelligent resolution in video games, and new technology for upscaling to 4K in titles with lower native resolution.
Next-Generation Cameras and Advanced Computational Imaging
Thanks to its triple 18-bit Qualcomm Spectra image signal processor (ISP), the new Snapdragon allows for real-time corrections of skin tones and skies, segmentation of up to 250 layers in 4K images, and 4K night recording at 30 fps with the Night Vision 2.0 feature. It can manage up to three 36 MP cameras simultaneously or a single camera of up to 320 MP.
Additionally, it supports 4K recording at 60 fps with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+, positioning itself as one of the most comprehensive chips for mobile photography and video in its category.
Artificial Intelligence at the Service of the User
In the AI department, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 incorporates the new Qualcomm AI Engine, featuring an improved AI engine and shared memory that is twice as large as in the previous generation, resulting in a 44% improvement in AI task performance.
This new platform is ready to run assistants based on multimodal and multilingual models (LLM and LVM), such as ChatGPT or Gemini Nano, directly on the device, reducing reliance on the cloud and enhancing privacy and processing speed.
Next-Generation Connectivity
The new chip includes the Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF System, reaching download speeds of up to 4.2 Gbps, as well as Wi-Fi 7 connectivity of up to 5.8 Gbps thanks to the Qualcomm FastConnect system and support for Bluetooth 6.0, offering ultra-fast and uninterrupted experiences.
An Affordable Flagship Killer
This Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is here to compete directly with flagship-level chips but at a more affordable price, providing high-performance specifications for manufacturers looking for a balance between cost and power.
Due to its features, it is ideal for mobile devices aimed at gamers, content creators, and demanding users, with capabilities previously reserved for premium models. Its inclusion in future devices could set a new standard for mid-to-high-end smartphones in 2025.
With this move, Qualcomm responds to the advancement of MediaTek and its Dimensity series, reaffirming its leadership in the development of mobile platforms for Android with a chip that will undoubtedly set trends in the coming months.
References: Qualcomm and El chapuzas informático