Qualcomm has unveiled its latest mobile processor, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset, introducing significant enhancements aimed at affordable smartphones. This new generation brings advanced gaming capabilities, improved AI features, and better overall performance compared to its predecessor. Realme, Oppo, and Honor are expected to launch smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 SoC in the coming months.
Next-Gen Performance and AI Capabilities
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is the first in its series to support generative AI capabilities, leveraging the Qualcomm AI Engine with INT4 support for faster AI processing while optimizing RAM usage. This feature allows devices to handle complex AI tasks efficiently, enhancing user experiences in gaming, photography, and productivity apps.
Fabricated using TSMC’s 4nm process technology, the new chipset showcases a significant leap from the previous generation, which used Samsung’s 4nm node. It also becomes the first in the series to feature ARMv9-based CPU cores, including:
- 1 Cortex-A720 prime core clocked at 2.3GHz
- 3 Cortex-A720 performance cores at 2.2GHz
- 4 Cortex-A520 efficiency cores at 2.3GHz
This architecture, paired with a Kyro series CPU, Adreno GPU, and the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU for AI inference, delivers 11% higher CPU performance, 29% faster graphics rendering, and 12% better power optimization.
Enhanced Gaming and Graphics Performance
The Snapdragon Game Super Resolution feature enhances gaming experiences by upscaling gaming scenes, providing improved graphics quality. The chipset supports up to Full-HD+ (1080+) resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and immersive visuals for mobile gaming enthusiasts.
Superior Camera and Multimedia Capabilities
For photography and videography, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 comes with triple 12-bit ISPs, supporting sensors up to 200 megapixels and enabling 4K HDR video recording at 30fps. It also supports advanced formats like HDR10, HLG, and 10-bit HEIF, delivering richer colors and improved image clarity.
Connectivity and Storage Enhancements
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 platform supports:
- 5G connectivity with both sub-6GHz and mmWave frequencies, offering downlink speeds of up to 2.9Gbps.
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive for better wireless audio sharing.
- Up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM at 3,200MHz and UFS 3.1 storage for faster data access and improved multitasking.
- USB Type-C 3.1 connectivity and triple-frequency GPS positioning for enhanced navigation accuracy.
Availability and Expectations
Qualcomm has not disclosed specific launch dates but confirmed that smartphones featuring the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset are expected from Realme, Oppo, and Honor in the coming months. The new platform is set to redefine the affordable smartphone segment with flagship-level features in gaming, AI, and connectivity.
With these powerful upgrades, Qualcomm continues to push the boundaries of mobile technology, catering to the growing demand for high-performance yet cost-effective smartphones.
