
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.
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.