Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835: Architecture, Capabilities, and Relevance in 2025
An overview of the processor that became the standard for energy efficiency and still has its fans today
Introduction
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 is one of the key chipsets in the history of mobile processors. Released in 2017, it set new standards for energy efficiency and performance, and thanks to the 10nm manufacturing process, it became the foundation for flagship smartphones of its time. By 2025, devices powered by the Snapdragon 835 no longer fall into the premium segment but continue to attract users who appreciate the balance of price and capabilities. In this article, we will explore what makes this processor interesting today, whom it is suitable for, and what tasks it can handle.
1. Architecture and Manufacturing Process: The Foundation of Stability
Cores and Frequencies
The Snapdragon 835 is built on an 8-core architecture known as Kryo 280, divided into two clusters:
- 4 high-performance cores with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz (based on ARM Cortex-A73);
- 4 power-efficient cores with a frequency of 1.9 GHz (Cortex-A53).
This configuration (Big.LITTLE) provided flexible load management: heavy tasks (gaming, rendering) were handled by the powerful cores, while background processes ran on the energy-efficient ones.
Manufacturing Process
The chip is manufactured using 10nm Samsung technology (LPE — Low-Power Early), which was groundbreaking for 2017. This allowed for a reduction in power consumption by 25–30% compared to its predecessor (Snapdragon 821 on 14nm).
GPU Adreno 540
The Adreno 540 graphics accelerator supported Vulkan API, OpenGL ES 3.2, and DirectX 12, making it suitable for mobile gaming. Its peak performance is up to 567 GFLOPS. In comparison, the modern Adreno 750 (2025) delivers about 2500 GFLOPS.
Cache and Memory
- L2 Cache: 2 MB (shared between clusters);
- RAM support: LPDDR4X up to 1866 MHz.
2. Performance in Real Tasks: What Can Snapdragon 835 Do in 2025?
Gaming
In 2025, the Snapdragon 835 can handle most mobile games at medium or low settings:
- PUBG Mobile: ~30 FPS on medium graphic presets;
- Genshin Impact: ~25-30 FPS on low settings (requires optimized firmware);
- Roblox, Minecraft: stable 60 FPS.
The Adreno 540 graphics do not support technologies such as ray tracing or HDR10+, but it is sufficient for casual gaming.
Multimedia
- Video: Decoding 4K@60 FPS (H.265/HEVC);
- Audio: Qualcomm Aqstic with Hi-Res Audio support (32-bit/384 kHz);
- Displays: Outputting images to screens with up to 4K resolution.
Smartphones with Snapdragon 835 often came with OLED displays, which, combined with HDR10 support, delivered vivid images.
Artificial Intelligence
The Snapdragon 835 does not have a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit), but AI tasks are handled through the Hexagon 682 DSP and GPU. In 2025, this limits its use:
- Real-time facial recognition works, but slower than on modern chips;
- Filters in apps like Photoshop Express or Prisma take more time to process.
Energy Consumption and Heating
Thanks to the 10nm manufacturing process and a TDP of 9W, the chip remains cool even under load. In 2025, its energy efficiency is still high:
- Smartphones with a 3000–3500 mAh battery provide 4–5 hours of screen time;
- Active cooling is not required—passive heat sinks are sufficient.
3. Integrated Modules: Communication and Connectivity
Snapdragon X16 LTE Modem
- Download speed: up to 1 Gbps (Cat. 16);
- Supports 4G LTE Advanced, but the lack of 5G is a major downside in 2025.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac (up to 867 Mbps) — an outdated standard but compatible with most routers;
- Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD support for high-quality sound.
Navigation
- GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS — positioning accuracy within 3 meters.
4. Comparison with Competitors: How Does the 835 Measure Up Against Other SoCs?
Generation 2017
- Apple A10 Fusion: Best single-threaded performance (Geekbench 6 Single Core: ~550) but higher power consumption;
- Huawei Kirin 960: Similar multi-threaded power but worse GPU optimization;
- Samsung Exynos 8895: Approximately equal performance in gaming but generates more heat.
Modern Analogues (2025)
The Snapdragon 835 is comparable to budget chips of 2025 such as MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ or Snapdragon 4 Gen 3:
- CPU Performance: Snapdragon 835 lags in multi-threaded tasks (~1519 vs ~2200 in Geekbench 6 Multi Core);
- Graphics: Adreno 540 is comparable to Mali-G57 MC2 in basic gaming;
- Energy Efficiency: The 10nm manufacturing process lags behind 6nm technologies, but due to low clock speeds, the chip remains economical.
5. Use Cases: Who Is the Snapdragon 835 Suitable For?
Gaming
- Recommended for less demanding games: strategy, puzzles, 2D platformers.
Everyday Tasks
- Social media, browsing, office applications (Google Docs, Zoom) — everything runs smoothly.
Photo and Video
- Support for cameras up to 32 MP (or 16 MP with Dual Pixel AF);
- Recording video at 4K@30 FPS — quality is decent, but stabilization is weaker than on modern processors.
6. Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Proven reliability and stability;
- Energy efficiency;
- Support for 4K content.
Weaknesses
- No 5G;
- Weak AI accelerator;
- Limited performance in modern games.
7. Practical Tips: How to Choose a Smartphone with Snapdragon 835 in 2025?
- Price: New devices cost $150–200 (for example, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12E line);
- Battery: Look for models with a battery of at least 4000 mAh;
- RAM: A minimum of 4 GB for comfortable use;
- Target Audience: Students, elderly users, those who do not need "bells and whistles."
8. Final Conclusion
The Snapdragon 835 in 2025 is a choice for those looking for a cheap yet reliable smartphone for basic tasks. It is suitable for:
- Everyday use (social media, calls, videos);
- As a backup device;
- Users who are not chasing trends.
Its main advantages are low price, long battery life, and an absence of critical drawbacks. If you do not need 5G, neural network filters in cameras, or gaming at ultra settings, the Snapdragon 835 remains a worthy option.
Note: All prices are current as of April 2025 and relate to new devices.