Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, the latest addition to its mid-range processor lineup, focusing on improved CPU and GPU performance along with support for ultra-wide displays. This release comes nearly a year after its predecessor, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, which was announced in August 2024.
Incremental Performance Enhancements
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 continues to utilize a 4nm manufacturing process and maintains the 1+3+4 core architecture of its Kryo CPU. The primary core is a 2.7GHz Cortex-A720, offering a modest increase from the 2.5GHz Cortex-A720 found in the previous generation. The three performance cores (Cortex-A720 at 2.4GHz) and four efficiency cores (Cortex-A520 at 1.8GHz) remain unchanged. Overall, Qualcomm reports a 7% improvement in CPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3.
Graphics and Display Capabilities
The Adreno GPU in the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 also sees a 7% performance boost over its predecessor. A notable advancement is the support for ultra-wide displays with resolutions up to 2900×1300 pixels at a 144Hz refresh rate. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for devices requiring expansive screen real estate and high refresh rates, such as gaming smartphones and emulation devices.
Market Availability and Adoption
Historically, Snapdragon 7 series chipsets have been prevalent in devices across China and Europe. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 expanded its reach into the North American market, featuring in devices like the Nothing Phone (3a) series. While the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 offers incremental improvements, it continues to provide a cost-effective solution for manufacturers aiming to deliver competent performance in mid-range devices.
Looking Ahead
While the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 introduces modest enhancements, anticipation builds for Qualcomm’s upcoming flagship processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, expected to deliver more substantial advancements in performance and features.
