Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: A Game-Changer for Mid-Range Smartphones

Qualcomm has just announced its latest innovation, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, which promises to significantly boost performance while cutting power consumption for next-generation mid-range smartphones. Built on TSMC’s advanced 4‑nm process, the new chip is engineered to deliver an exceptional balance of speed, efficiency, and advanced AI capabilities.

Powerful Multicore Architecture

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 packs a potent combination of eight cores:

• One Cortex X4 clocked at 3.2 GHz, designed for peak performance tasks.
• Three Cortex A720 cores running at 3.0 GHz to handle demanding applications.
• Two Cortex A720 cores at 2.8 GHz to maintain high efficiency during multi-threaded operations.
• Two Cortex A720 cores at 2.0 GHz, optimized for energy efficiency during lighter workloads.

This sophisticated architecture translates into a 31% improvement in CPU performance compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, ensuring a smoother and faster user experience across everyday tasks and intensive applications.

Enhanced Graphics and AI Capabilities

Qualcomm has also upgraded the graphics performance by integrating the new Adreno 825 GPU. Although built on the same architecture as the previous Adreno 830, the new GPU achieves a 49% boost in graphical performance while being paired with 12 MB of dedicated graphic memory. This upgrade is especially significant for mobile gaming and media consumption.

On the AI front, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 introduces a new neural processing unit (NPU) along with doubled memory allocation dedicated to AI tasks, delivering a remarkable 44% increase in performance. This makes the chip ideal for handling advanced AI operations such as real-time image processing, voice recognition, and more sophisticated machine learning algorithms directly on the device.

Camera and Display Innovations

Photography enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the chip supports high-resolution imaging:

• It can handle camera systems of up to 320 MP.
• Alternatively, it supports configurations like a single 108 MP camera with multi-frame processing or three 36 MP cameras.
• Additionally, it allows for display refresh rates of up to 144 Hz at QHD+ or WQHD+ resolutions, ensuring smooth visuals for both gaming and video playback.

Robust Connectivity and Enhanced Power Efficiency

The new chipset doesn’t stop at raw processing power. It comes equipped with comprehensive wireless technology support, including:

• 5G Connectivity: Up to 4.2 Gbps (excluding mmWave support).
• Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and XPAN: Ensuring high-speed and reliable wireless connections.
• Memory and Storage: Compatibility with LPDDR5X and UFS 4.0, plus support for Quick Charge 5 to drastically reduce charging times.
• Advanced Audio Support: Featuring aptX Adaptive, Lossless, and Voice technologies for a premium audio experience.

Market Rollout and Future Prospects

The first smartphone to feature the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 will be the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro, with additional models from iQOO, Oppo, and Meizu expected to follow. Targeted at high-performance mid-range smartphones, this chip is set to redefine the standard for mobile devices by delivering a balance of high-end performance, energy efficiency, and advanced multimedia capabilities.

With the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, Qualcomm is not only raising the bar for mid-range devices but also paving the way for a new era where advanced processing power and smart connectivity become accessible to a broader range of consumers.