Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus: Review of the Flagship Processor of 2020 from the Perspective of 2025
April 2025
Introduction
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus, released in mid-2020, emerged as one of the most significant mobile chipsets of its time. Despite the fact that five years have passed since its release, devices based on this chipset remain relevant for certain use scenarios. In this article, we will explore what makes this processor noteworthy, how it compares to contemporary solutions, and who it might be suitable for in 2025.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: The Foundation of Power
The Snapdragon 865 Plus is built on a 7nm process technology, which was considered cutting-edge in 2020. Its octa-core architecture includes:
- 1× Cortex-A77 at 3.1 GHz (high-performance core),
- 3× Cortex-A77 at 2.42 GHz,
- 4× Cortex-A55 at 1.8 GHz (energy-efficient cores).
This clustered approach (1+3+4) allowed for a balance between performance and power consumption. The L2 cache of 1 MB sped up the processing of frequently used data, while the GPU Adreno 650 with a clock speed of up to 670 MHz provided smooth graphics in games and applications.
Key Features of the GPU:
- Support for displays with a refresh rate of 144 Hz,
- Rendering in HDR10+,
- Hardware acceleration for ray tracing (limited).
The 7nm process technology ensured moderate thermal output (TDP of 5 W), making the chip suitable for compact smartphones.
2. Performance in Real-World Tasks
Gaming:
Adreno 650 handled titles like Genshin Impact at medium settings (45-60 FPS) during 2020-2022. By 2025, it still manages mobile games such as PUBG Mobile or COD Mobile on high settings, but with limitations:
- No support for advanced effects introduced after 2023 (e.g., improved shadow tracing).
- In games using AI upscaling (analogues of DLSS), there may be FPS drops due to lack of specialized blocks.
Multimedia:
- Decoding video at 8K@30fps and 4K@120fps,
- Support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+,
- Audio output via Aqstic low-latency audio chip.
AI Tasks:
- The sixth-generation AI engine Hexagon 698 (15 TOPS) handles basic tasks such as real-time photo enhancement, scene recognition, and voice assistants. However, it lacks the power for complex models (e.g., Stable Diffusion Mobile).
Power Consumption and Heating:
Thanks to the 7nm process technology and dynamic frequency management, smartphones with the Snapdragon 865 Plus exhibited battery life of 6-8 hours under active use. However, under load (prolonged gaming sessions), the chip could heat up to 42-45°C, necessitating a cooling system in the chassis.
3. Integrated Modules: Connectivity and Communications
- Modem: Snapdragon X55 supports 5G Sub-6 GHz and mmWave as well as 4G LTE Cat 24 (speeds up to 2.5 Gbps). In 2025, this is sufficient for most networks but may face speed limitations in areas with deployed 5G SA (Standalone).
- Wi-Fi 6 (up to 1.8 Gbps) and Bluetooth 5.2 with enhanced aptX Adaptive codec.
- Navigation: GPS (L1/L5), GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou – high positioning accuracy even in densely built cities.
Important: The lack of support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 may be a downside for users wishing to connect to the latest networks.
4. Comparison with Competitors
Previous Generations:
- Snapdragon 865: Only differs in CPU/GPU clock speeds (10% lower).
- Snapdragon 855 Plus: Outdated Cortex-A76 architecture, worse energy efficiency.
Competitors from 2020-2021:
- Apple A14 Bionic: Superior single-core performance (Geekbench 6 Single-Core ~1600), but no 5G support in the base version of the iPhone 12.
- MediaTek Dimensity 1000+: Comparable power, but weaker GPU and optimization issues.
- Samsung Exynos 990: Higher thermal output, less stable under load.
In 2025: Modern chips (Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, Dimensity 9300) surpass the Snapdragon 865 Plus by 80-120% in multi-threaded tasks, but at a significantly higher price.
5. Use Cases
Gaming:
- Recommended for casual games and streaming (Xbox Cloud, GeForce NOW). For AAA games in 2024-2025, its power may not be enough.
- Ideal for console emulation (PSP, GameCube) due to stable CPU performance.
Everyday Tasks:
- Smooth interface operation, fast app loading.
- Multitasking: Simultaneous operation of 5-7 applications without lag.
Photo and Video:
- Support for cameras up to 200 MP and 8K recording.
- AI photo enhancement (night mode, portrait mode) works well, but lags behind neural networks found in chips from 2023 and later.
6. Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- High energy efficiency for its class.
- Support for 5G and current communication standards.
- Optimization for most Android applications.
Disadvantages:
- No hardware support for AI frameworks from 2023 onward (TensorFlow Lite 3.0).
- Limited upgrade potential (e.g., does not support LPDDR5X).
7. Practical Tips for Choosing a Device
- Cooling: Look for models with vapor chambers or graphite plates (e.g., ASUS ROG Phone 3).
- Display: An AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate will unlock the GPU's potential.
- Prices: New devices in 2025 featuring Snapdragon 865 Plus are rare, but specific models (e.g., Black Shark 5) can be found for $450-600.
Typical Devices:
- Gaming smartphones (with active cooling).
- Premium flagships from 2020-2021 (Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G, OnePlus 8T).
8. Final Conclusion: Who is Snapdragon 865 Plus Suitable For?
This processor is worth choosing if you:
1. Are looking for a budget flagship: Devices on the Snapdragon 865 Plus are often sold at discounts, offering a good price-to-performance ratio.
2. Do not chase top-tier games: For social media, streaming, and casual games, its power is more than adequate.
3. Value stability: The chip has proven itself over the years, with optimizations close to ideal.
Main Benefits: Savings of $200-300 compared to the latest models without compromising significantly on daily use quality.
Conclusion
The Snapdragon 865 Plus in 2025 is a solid choice for those who are not willing to pay a premium for the latest chips but want a reliable and balanced device. Its performance will suffice for the next 2-3 years, and support for 5G and the build quality of past flagship devices make such smartphones a worthwhile purchase.