Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1
Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1: A Balance of Performance and Affordability in 2025
Overview of the mobile processor for mid-range smartphones
Introduction
In the world of mobile technology in 2025, Qualcomm continues to strengthen its position in the budget and mid-range device segment. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, introduced in 2023, remains in demand due to its successful combination of price, energy efficiency, and sufficient power for everyday tasks. In this article, we will explore what makes this platform noteworthy, how it competes with its counterparts, and who it is best suited for.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: The Foundation of Efficiency
8-Core Structure:
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is built on a heterogeneous architecture with eight cores divided into two clusters:
- 2 Cortex-A78 cores at 2 GHz for resource-intensive tasks (gaming, rendering).
- 6 Cortex-A55 cores with frequencies of up to 1.8 GHz for background processes and energy savings.
This configuration provides flexibility: the system automatically allocates the load, minimizing heating and extending battery life.
6nm Process Technology:
The use of a 6-nanometer process from TSMC reduced power consumption by 15% compared to its predecessors (for example, Snapdragon 680 on 7nm). This is crucial for devices with batteries of 4500-5000 mAh that can last up to 1.5-2 days without recharging.
Adreno 619 GPU:
The Adreno 619 graphics accelerator, while not new, is optimized for gaming at resolutions up to HD+ (1600×720). Support for Vulkan 1.1 and OpenGL ES 3.2 allows most mobile games to run on medium settings.
2. Performance in Real Tasks
Gaming:
- Casual gaming (Candy Crush, Among Us): No lags even during multitasking.
- Mid-core (PUBG Mobile, COD Mobile): Up to 40-50 FPS in HD quality with "Medium" graphics. For smooth gameplay at "High" settings, you'll need to activate gaming modes on the smartphone.
- Heavy titles (Genshin Impact): 25-30 FPS in Low-HD, but with noticeable heating after 20-30 minutes.
Multimedia:
- Video decoding: 4K@60fps (H.265/HEVC), HDR10.
- Audio: Support for aptX Adaptive and Aqstic codecs for improved sound in headphones.
AI Applications:
- Neural network acceleration (Hexagon 686) is used for:
- Photography: automatic portrait retouching, night mode.
- Voice assistants: quick processing of queries even in offline mode.
Power Consumption:
- In standby mode: 0.5-1% charge per hour.
- With active use (gaming, streaming): 15-20% per hour.
- Quick Charge 4+ technology charges the battery to 50% in 30 minutes.
3. Built-in Modules: Future Connectivity Today
Snapdragon X51 Modem:
- Support for 5G Sub-6 GHz (up to 2.5 Gbps) and 4G LTE Cat 24 (up to 1.5 Gbps).
- Dual-SIM with VoNR (voice calls over 5G).
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:
- Wi-Fi 6 (up to 1.2 Gbps) for stable connections in public networks.
- Bluetooth 5.2 with LE Audio — reduced latency in wireless headphones.
Navigation:
- GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou — accuracy up to 1.5 meters.
4. Comparison with Competitors
Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 vs MediaTek Dimensity 700:
- CPU: Snapdragon wins in multi-threading (1888 vs 1700 in Geekbench 6).
- GPU: Adreno 619 is 10% faster than Mali-G57 MC2.
- Energy Efficiency: 6nm vs 7nm for MediaTek.
Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 vs Unisoc Tiger T750:
- AnTuTu 10: 422,891 vs 380,000.
- Both support 5G, but Qualcomm has better driver optimization.
Evolution within the Lineup:
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 vs Snapdragon 480+: CPU improvement of 18%, GPU improvement of 12%.
5. Use Cases
Gaming:
Ideal for casual and mid-core games. For hardcore projects, lower settings are required.
Everyday Tasks:
- Simultaneous use of 10-15 applications (messengers, browsers, YouTube).
- Fast webpage loading thanks to Wi-Fi 6.
Photo and Video:
- Cameras up to 64 MP (single) or 25+13 MP (dual).
- Recording 4K@30fps with EIS (electronic image stabilization).
- Night mode with AI-level noise reduction.
6. Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- Optimal price: smartphones starting at $200.
- Support for 5G and Wi-Fi 6.
- Long battery life thanks to the 6nm process.
Disadvantages:
- Limitations in heavy gaming.
- No support for displays above 90Hz.
- Maximum camera resolution of 64 MP.
7. Practical Tips for Choosing a Device
What to Pay Attention To:
- Cooling: Phones with vapor chambers (e.g., Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G) heat up less.
- Display: AMOLED with HDR10 for better content display.
- RAM: 6-8 GB LPDDR4X for multitasking.
Typical Devices:
- Budget smartphones ($200-250): Realme 10, Motorola Moto G Power 2025.
- Mid-range ($250-300): POCO X6 Neo, vivo Y78.
8. Final Conclusion: Who Is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 Suitable For?
This processor is a choice for those looking for:
- Reliability: Proven architecture and stable updates.
- The future with 5G: Ready for next-generation networks.
- A balance of price and quality: Enough power for social media, streaming, and less demanding games.
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 proves that even in 2025, budget devices can be fast, energy-efficient, and ready for the technologies of tomorrow.
