Qualcomm Launches Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 With Huge Upgrades in CPU, GPU, and AI Performance

Highlights
  • The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 features newer Kryo cores with 10% higher clock speed.
  • It can also run large language models locally on a device to power digital assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, and others.
  • The processor also has improved wireless connectivity with Bluetooth earbuds and other accessories using Qualcomm XPAN technology.

Qualcomm has launched the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor. It brings a 27% boost in CPU performance, 30% faster graphics rendering, and a massive 65% upgrade in AI processing. This chip is the successor to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, and we can expect it to arrive on smartphones priced at around Rs 30,000. It’s also said to improve wireless connectivity with Bluetooth earbuds and other accessories using Qualcomm XPAN technology. Here are the details of Qualcomm’s latest mid-range smartphone processor.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4: What’s New?

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is an octa-core processor in a 1+3+4 configuration. It is based on TSMC’s 4nm architecture. The chip features 1x Cortex-A720 Prime core, 3x Cortex-A720 Performance cores, and 4x Cortex-A520 Efficiency cores. This is a significant upgrade over its predecessor as it gets the newer Kryo cores.

This setup is paired with an undisclosed Adreno GPU, which Qualcomm claims to be 30% faster compared to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. It also comes with Snapdragon Elite Gaming features to boost gaming performance with higher frame rates.

The biggest highlight of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is the 65% improvement in AI performance from the Hexagon NPU. The chip is capable of running large language models (LLMs) locally on the device, which can be used to power digital assistants. It also supports Stable Diffusion 1.5, which is beneficial for tasks related to editing and processing images and other media using generative AI.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4

The new Qualcomm chip also gets a 12-bit Triple ISP that supports camera sensors of up to 200MP resolution. It can also record videos at 4K 60fps. This ISP uses AI for white balance adjustment, auto exposure, auto focus, and other camera-related functions.

This is also the first Snapdragon 7 Series processor to come with Qualcomm Expanded Personal Area Network (XPAN), which improves the wireless connectivity from your smartphone to your earbuds. As of now, Xiaomi’s Buds 5 Pro (Wi-Fi), which was launched globally back in February, uses this technology. This is useful in situations where your phone and earbuds are on different floors in the same building. The chip also supports lossless music streaming.

Without any surprises, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is a 5G-ready processor based on an R17 5G modem. It has WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, GPS, and NavIC connectivity.

Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 7 Gen 3

Specification Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
Architecture 4nm, TSMC 4nm, TSMC
Cores 8 8
Core configuration 1x Cortex-A720 @2.8GHz
3x Cortex-A720 @2.4GHz
4x Cortex-A520 @1.84GHz
1x Cortex-A715 @2.63GHz
3x Cortex-A715 @2.4GHz
4x Cortex-A510 @1.8GHz
Max Frequency 2.8GHz 2.63GHz
GPU Adreno GPU (undisclosed) Adreno 720
NPU Qualcomm Hexagon NPU Qualcomm Hexagon NPU
Memory type LPDDR5X, 4200MHz LPDDR5, 3200MHz
Modem Snapdragon R17-based 5G Snapdragon X63 5G
Connectivity WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
ISP 12-bit Triple ISP 12-bit Triple ISP

Upcoming Smartphones with Snapdragon 7 Gen 4

Qualcomm says that the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 will first be featured on HONOR and Vivo smartphones. However, the companies have not revealed the exact phone models as of now.

As per leaks and reports, the HONOR 400 and Vivo S30 are said to be the first set of devices with the new Qualcomm chip. The OnePlus Nord CE5 is also expected to use the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 for its Chinese variant, but there’s no confirmation as of writing this article.