Qualcomm Snapdragon 632

Qualcomm Snapdragon 632: A Budget Processor for Everyday Tasks

April 2025

Introduction

In the world of smartphones, the balance between price and performance has always been a key factor. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 632, introduced back in 2018, continues to be a popular choice for budget devices due to its energy efficiency and sufficient power for basic tasks. However, in 2025, its standing appears modest against newer chips. Let’s explore who this processor is suitable for, its strengths, and what to consider when choosing a smartphone based on it.

Architecture and Manufacturing Process: 8 Cores and 14 nm

The Snapdragon 632 is built on a 14-nanometer process, which is considered outdated in 2025 (modern chips use 5–7 nm technologies). Nevertheless, this technology delivers low power consumption and moderate heat generation.

- CPU: 8 Kryo 250 cores divided into two clusters:

- 4 high-performance cores with a frequency of up to 1.8 GHz;

- 4 energy-efficient cores with a frequency of up to 1.8 GHz.

The big.LITTLE architecture allows for optimized load handling: heavy tasks are handled by the powerful cores, while background processes are managed by the efficient ones.

- GPU: Adreno 506. This graphics processor supports resolutions up to Full HD+ (1080 × 2520 pixels) and technologies like Vulkan 1.0 and OpenGL ES 3.2. For 2025, these are minimal requirements, but they are adequate for basic games and user interfaces.

TDP (thermal design power): 5 W. This means that the processor generates very little heat even under load, simplifying the cooling system in smartphones.

Performance in Real-World Tasks

Gaming

The Adreno 506 handles less demanding games like Among Us, Candy Crush, or Subway Surfers at medium settings effectively. However, modern titles (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile) will only run on minimal graphics at frame rates around 20–25 FPS. This is sufficient for casual gamers, but enthusiasts should consider more powerful chips.

Multimedia

The processor supports video decoding in H.264 and H.265 (HEVC) formats and playback at resolutions up to 4K@30 FPS. This allows for comfortable viewing of movies on YouTube or Netflix, although 4K recording may cause overheating during extended shooting sessions.

AI Applications

The Snapdragon 632 lacks a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), so tasks like photo processing through neural networks or voice assistants are performed slower compared to modern chips. For instance, applying a filter in Instagram may take 1–2 seconds longer.

Power Consumption and Battery Life

Thanks to the 14 nm process and modest clock speeds, smartphones with the Snapdragon 632 demonstrate good battery life: a device with a 4000 mAh battery can last 1.5–2 days with moderate usage. Charging takes about 2 hours (supports Quick Charge 3.0).

Integrated Modules: Connectivity and Navigation

- Modem: Snapdragon X9 LTE (Cat. 13), providing download speeds up to 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 150 Mbps. There is no 5G support, which limits users in regions with developed next-generation networks in 2025.

- Wi-Fi: The Qualcomm FastConnect 6200 module supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standards and operates in the 2.4/5 GHz bands. Maximum speed is up to 433 Mbps.

- Bluetooth: Version 4.2 with aptX support for improved sound quality in wireless headphones.

- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou. Location accuracy is ±3 meters in urban environments.

These specifications are suitable for basic tasks but fall short of modern processors with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

Comparison with Competitors

Against the backdrop of new budget chips, the Snapdragon 632 looks modest:

- MediaTek Helio G85 (12 nm): Better graphics (Mali-G52 MC2), support for cameras up to 48 MP, and better performance in medium settings. AnTuTu 10 score is around ~220,000.

- Unisoc Tiger T610 (12 nm): Comparable CPU performance but weaker GPU. It is cheaper to produce.

- Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6 nm): A newer process, offering 25% higher energy efficiency, AnTuTu 10 score of around ~240,000.

The Snapdragon 632 only wins in price: smartphones based on it cost $120–$180, while devices with the Helio G85 or Snapdragon 680 start from $200.

Usage Scenarios

1. Everyday Tasks: Social media, messaging, browsing, streaming video.

2. Light Gaming: Casual games and titles with low requirements.

3. Photo and Video: Cameras up to 24 MP with EIS (electronic image stabilization) support. Shooting in 1080p@60 FPS is possible, but without advanced modes like HDR10+.

For shooting in challenging conditions (e.g., low light), the processor is inadequate, lacking the power for noise reduction algorithms.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

- Low cost of devices.

- Good battery life.

- Support for basic functions (4G, Full HD+).

Cons:

- Outdated process technology (14 nm).

- Weak graphics.

- No support for 5G and modern communication standards.

Practical Tips When Choosing a Smartphone

1. RAM: Choose models with 4–6 GB of RAM to compensate for the processor's weaknesses in multitasking.

2. Display: IPS or AMOLED with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. Higher refresh rates (90/120 Hz) would be excessive for the Adreno 506.

3. Battery: At least 4000 mAh for comfortable use.

4. Price: In 2025, smartphones with the Snapdragon 632 cost between $120–$180. Examples include Nokia G22 and Xiaomi Redmi 10C.

Devices based on this chip are suitable for students, seniors, or as a backup phone for travel.

Conclusion: Who is Snapdragon 632 Suitable For?

This processor is a choice for those who:

- Are not willing to overpay for features they won’t use.

- Value battery life: Smartphones with Snapdragon 632 can run for up to two days.

- Use their phone for basic tasks: Calls, messaging, social media, music.

Main benefits: Saving money (devices cost less than $200), no overheating issues, and adequate performance for undemanding users.

However, if you plan to use a smartphone for 3–4 years, it’s better to choose a model with a more modern chip (such as Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 or MediaTek Dimensity 6100+). The Snapdragon 632 is a reasonable compromise, but only for short-term use.

Conclusion

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 in 2025 is an example of a "workhorse" that handles basic tasks but does not aspire to be a universal solution. It should be considered as a temporary option or a device for those who value simplicity and reliability.