Snapdragon 6s Gen 4: Qualcomm improves its mid-range chips… and complicates its naming scheme
If you find Qualcomm Snapdragon processor names confusing, you’re not alone. The brand has just added a new model to its lineup: the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4, aimed at affordable mid-range smartphones.
However, be cautious: despite its name, this chip is less powerful than the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 and sits below the 7s Gen 4.
In short, it’s a real marketing puzzle.
Snapdragon 6s Gen 4: Notable CPU and GPU Performance Improvements
Manufactured using 4 nm technology by Samsung, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 features:
- 4 performance cores clocked up to 2.4 GHz,
- 4 efficiency cores at 1.8 GHz.
According to Qualcomm, the new processor provides +36% CPU performance and +59% GPU performance compared to its predecessor, the 6s Gen 3.
In terms of compatibility, the chip supports full HD+ displays up to 144 Hz, 5G mmWave and sub-6 GHz, Wi-Fi 6E, as well as LPDDR5x memory (up to 12 GB) and UFS 3.1 storage.
A Versatile ISP, But No AI
The Qualcomm Spectra ISP supports a single camera sensor up to 200 megapixels or two 16-megapixel sensors with 2K video at 30 fps. However, no artificial intelligence features are mentioned.
This makes sense: smartphones equipped with the 6s Gen 3 were priced around 300 to 400 euros, a range where AI functions are still rare. To utilize those features, one must aim higher—the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, 7 Gen 4, and 7s Gen 4 already incorporate AI engines.
A Welcome Improvement for Mid-Range Devices
While everyone talks about the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the real technological advancements often occur in the mid-range. These more affordable chips power the majority of smartphones sold worldwide, and their rapid progression shows how the market is becoming more accessible.
Though the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 may not steal the spotlight, it will help enhance the speed, fluidity, and comprehensiveness of phones priced between 300-400 euros.
