Qualcomm recently unveiled its newest processor, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, aimed at bringing high-end performance to more affordable premium smartphones. This chipset introduces several key improvements and a revolutionary CPU design that could change how we think about mobile processing power.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 : Unexpected Name, Innovative Architecture
Initially rumored to launch as the “Snapdragon 8s Elite,” Qualcomm instead went with Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 for this China-launched processor. The name reflects its use of standard Arm Cortex CPU cores instead of the custom Oryon technology found in the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite.
What makes this processor truly stand out is its groundbreaking CPU configuration:
- One powerful Cortex-X4 core running at 3.2GHz
- Three Cortex-A720 cores clocked at 3GHz
- Two Cortex-A720 cores at 2.8GHz
- Two Cortex-A720 cores at 2GHz
In a bold move, Qualcomm has completely eliminated the traditional efficiency-focused “little” cores. Instead, they’ve adopted an all-medium-and-big-core approach. While using the same core types as the 8s Gen 3, this architectural shift points toward dramatically improved multi-core performance. According to Qualcomm, users can expect a substantial 31% CPU performance boost compared to last year’s model.
Enhanced Graphics for Better Gaming
The Snapdragon features an upgraded Adreno GPU built on the same sliced architecture introduced in the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite. Based on information from Qualcomm China, this GPU includes two slices (compared to the Elite’s three) and 12MB of dedicated memory.
For gamers, this translates to an impressive 49% graphical performance improvement over the previous generation. Additionally, the chip supports advanced features such as:
- Ray tracing for more realistic lighting effects
- Qualcomm’s Game Super Resolution 2.0 technology
- Flagship-level gaming performance at a lower price point
Advanced AI and Photography Capabilities
Despite its position below the flagship model, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 delivers robust AI performance. With an enhanced NPU and twice the shared memory of its predecessor, the chip achieves 44% faster AI processing according to Qualcomm’s benchmarks.
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate numerous camera improvements, including:
- Support for massive 320MP snapshots (up from 200MP)
- 108MP single-camera capability with multi-frame processing
- Triple 36MP camera configurations
- 4K/30fps low-light video recording
- Up to 250 layers of real-time segmentation in photos and videos
- Real-time skin and sky tone correction
- Truepic authentication for verifying image authenticity
However, there are some video compromises compared to Qualcomm’s top-tier offerings. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 focuses on 4K/60fps and 1080p/480fps recording options, skipping higher-end capabilities like 8K/30fps, 4K/120fps, and 720p/960fps recording.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 : What This Means for Consumers
Although Qualcomm hasn’t announced which smartphones will feature the new Snapdragon, this chipset is positioned to power the next wave of premium mid-range devices. As smartphone prices continue to climb, this processor offers a promising middle ground – delivering near-flagship performance at more accessible price points.
With its innovative CPU design, enhanced graphics, and advanced AI capabilities, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 represents an exciting development for consumers who want top-tier performance without paying top-tier prices.