Qualcomm Snapdragon 480
Qualcomm Snapdragon 480: A Budget Chipset with Ambitions. Complete Breakdown
(Relevant as of April 2025)
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 is a processor that made headlines back in 2021 as the first budget solution with 5G support. By 2025, it remains popular in smartphones priced under $300, but how relevant is it now? Let's analyze the architecture, performance, and use cases of this chip.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: A Balance Between Cost and Efficiency
CPU: 8 Cores for Basic Tasks
The Snapdragon 480 is built on a heterogeneous architecture with 8 cores divided into two clusters:
- 2 High-Performance Cortex-A76 Cores at up to 2.0 GHz. These handle “heavy” tasks: gaming, video rendering, and AI application processing.
- 6 Energy-Efficient Cortex-A55 Cores (1.8 GHz) that process background tasks and simple operations to save battery.
This approach (Big.Little) allows for flexible workload distribution, but by 2025, competitors are already moving to newer cores (e.g., Cortex-A78 in MediaTek Dimensity 700).
GPU: Adreno 619 — Graphics for Casual Gaming
The Adreno 619 GPU supports resolutions up to Full HD+ (1080x2520 pixels) and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. It can run mobile games at medium settings, although for titles like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail, you’ll need to lower the quality to Low.
Process Technology: 8nm vs. 6-7nm Competitors
The chip is manufactured using 8nm process technology (Samsung), which slightly lags behind modern budget processors in 2025 (for example, MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ utilizes 6nm). This affects power consumption; with a TDP of 3W, the Snapdragon 480 is somewhat less efficient than 6nm counterparts, but the difference is not critical for everyday use.
2. Performance in Real-Life Tasks: What Can the Snapdragon 480 Do?
Gaming: Modest Capabilities
- Casual Gaming: Candy Crush, Among Us, Clash Royale — runs effortlessly at maximum settings.
- Mid-Tier Games: PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile — medium settings (30-40 FPS).
- Heavy Titles: Genshin Impact — only Low/Medium settings with a frame rate around 25-30 FPS.
Important: For smooth gaming, choose smartphones with a 90 Hz display and cooling systems (e.g., Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G).
Multimedia: 4K and HDR Are in Question
- Video: Playback of 4K@60fps is supported, but recording is limited to 1080p@60fps or 4K@30fps.
- Audio: Qualcomm Aqstic amplifier and aptX Adaptive codec support enhance sound quality in headphones.
- Displays: No support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision — a downside for movie enthusiasts.
AI and Power Consumption
- AI Accelerator Hexagon 686 processes scenarios like facial recognition and photo enhancements (night modes, HDR), but it lacks the power for complex tasks (e.g., generative AI in applications).
- Battery: Thanks to the energy-efficient A55 cores, smartphones with Snapdragon 480 (e.g., Nokia X20) can last 1-1.5 days on a charge of 4500-5000 mAh.
3. Built-in Modules: 5G and More
Snapdragon X51 Modem
- 5G: Supports Sub-6 GHz (but not mmWave), with speeds up to 2.5 Gbps. A great bonus for the budget segment.
- 4G: LTE Cat 18 (speeds up to 1.2 Gbps).
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 6 (up to 1.7 Gbps) — relevant for home networks.
- Bluetooth 5.2 with Dual Audio support (simultaneously connecting two pairs of headphones).
Navigation
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou — a standard set for accurate positioning.
4. Comparison with Competitors
MediaTek Dimensity 700 (2025)
- Pros of Dimensity 700: 7nm process technology, slightly better energy efficiency, AnTuTu 10 — ~380,000.
- Cons: Weaker graphics (Mali-G57 MC2 compared to Adreno 619).
Unisoc Tangula T770
- A cheaper 5G-supported alternative, but AnTuTu 10 — 290,000. Snapdragon 480 outperforms in gaming and multitasking.
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (2023)
A newer Qualcomm chip (6nm, Cortex-A78) outperforms its predecessor by 20% in tests, but smartphones with it start at $250.
5. Use Cases: Who Is It For?
Daily Tasks
Social media, messengers, music streaming — everything runs smoothly. Even with 4-6 GB of RAM (e.g., Realme 9 5G).
Photo and Video
- Cameras: Supports sensors up to 64 MP (or triple modules). Night shots require software optimization — in devices like Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2025, they look decent.
- Video Recording: EIS stabilization, but only for 1080p.
6. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable device pricing ($180–$300).
- 5G and Wi-Fi 6 support.
- Good battery life.
Cons:
- Weak GPU for modern gaming.
- No recording at 4K@60fps.
7. Tips for Choosing a Smartphone
- RAM: At least 6 GB for multitasking.
- Display: A 90 Hz display will make the interface smoother.
- Cooling: Thermal pads or copper heatsinks will enhance gaming.
- Example Models from 2025:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G ($230): 6/128 GB, AMOLED 90 Hz.
- Nokia X21 5G ($270): Stock Android, 64 MP camera.
8. Final Conclusion
The Snapdragon 480 in 2025 is a choice for those seeking an affordable smartphone with basic performance and 5G support. It is suitable for:
- Students and teenagers — for study and light gaming.
- Users who value battery life.
- Those not willing to pay for the "excess" features of flagships.
The main advantages: savings without losing key capabilities (5G, stable OS performance). If you need AAA-level gaming or professional-grade photography, consider looking at the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 or Dimensity 8000.