Qualcomm Snapdragon 653
Qualcomm Snapdragon 653: Review of a Mobile Processor for Budget Devices in 2025
April 2025
Introduction
In the world of mobile technology, where flagship processors amaze us with innovations every year, budget chips continue to play a vital role, making smartphones accessible to a wide audience. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 653 is a striking example of a solution that remains relevant even years after its release. In this article, we will explore who this processor is suitable for in 2025, what tasks it can handle, and what to consider when choosing a device based on it.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: The Basis of Performance
Cores and Frequencies
The Snapdragon 653 is built on a hybrid architecture called big.LITTLE, combining two types of cores:
- 2 high-performance Arm Cortex-A72 cores with a frequency of up to 1.95 GHz — for resource-intensive tasks (games, video rendering).
- 4 energy-efficient Arm Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of about 1.4 GHz — for background processes and basic applications.
This approach allows for a balance between performance and energy efficiency, although by 2025 this configuration is considered outdated. Modern competitors, such as MediaTek's Dimensity 700 series, use newer Cortex-A76/A55 cores and 6–7 nm process technology.
Process Technology: 28 nm
Here lies the main drawback of the Snapdragon 653. The 28 nm process technology, relevant in the mid-2010s, appears archaic in 2025. In comparison, most budget chips are now manufactured according to 6–12 nm standards, ensuring lower heating and higher energy efficiency.
Graphics Processor
The Adreno 510 GPU handles simple games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers, but it lacks the power for modern projects featuring 3D graphics (for example, Genshin Impact). The maximum detail settings achievable are Low/Medium at 720p, and the frame rate rarely exceeds 30 FPS.
2. Performance in Real Tasks
Gaming
The Snapdragon 653 is suitable for:
- Casual games (chess, puzzles).
- Older AAA titles (for example, PUBG Mobile at minimal settings).
For gamers expecting smooth graphics in Honkai: Star Rail or Call of Duty: Mobile, it’s better to look at chips with a GPU level of Adreno 610 and above.
Multimedia
- Video: Playing videos in 1080p/60 FPS poses no problems. 4K content may stutter.
- Audio: Support for AptX and AAC codecs ensures high-quality sound in Bluetooth headphones.
Artificial Intelligence
There is no separate NPU (Neural Processing Unit) in the Snapdragon 653. AI tasks such as facial recognition or photo processing are handled by the CPU and GPU, which slows down performance. For instance, applying filters in the Adobe Lightroom Mobile app takes 20–30% longer than on processors with AI accelerators.
Power Consumption and Heating
Due to the 28 nm process technology, the chip is prone to overheating under prolonged loads. In gaming or video recording, the smartphone can heat up to 42–45°C, leading to throttling (frequency reduction). It is recommended to choose devices with passive cooling (copper heat sinks, thermal paste).
3. Built-in Modules: Connectivity and Navigation
Modem
- 4G LTE Cat.7 with a maximum download speed of 300 Mbps.
- 5G is absent — a key downside in 2025, when fifth-generation networks became standard even in the budget segment.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) — speed up to 433 Mbps (sufficient for streaming HD video).
- Bluetooth 4.1 — an outdated version. Modern counterparts support Bluetooth 5.3 with improved range and energy efficiency.
Navigation
Basic support for GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. The positioning accuracy is within 3–5 meters, which is acceptable for city navigation.
4. Comparison with Competitors
Snapdragon 653 vs MediaTek Helio G37 (2024)
- Process Technology: 28 nm vs 12 nm.
- GPU: Adreno 510 vs PowerVR GE8320 — both are weak, but the Helio G37 is more energy-efficient.
- 5G: No vs No.
Snapdragon 653 vs Unisoc Tiger T606 (2023)
- Performance: Both chips score ~800 points in Geekbench 6 Multi-Core tests.
- Advantage of T606: Support for cameras up to 64 MP compared to 21 MP for the SD 653.
Conclusion: The Snapdragon 653 lags behind modern budget SoCs in energy efficiency and support for new communication standards. Its main advantage is the price of devices based on it (starting at $100).
5. Use Scenarios
Gaming
Only suitable for undemanding users. Examples of devices: Xiaomi Redmi 10C (price: $130) — handles Mobile Legends at medium settings.
Everyday Tasks
- Social media, messengers, web surfing.
- Watching YouTube, working with documents in Google Docs.
Photography and Video Recording
- Maximum camera resolution: 21 MP.
- Video recording: 1080p/30 FPS. Electronic stabilization is absent — rapid movements during recording will be noticeable.
6. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low cost of smartphones.
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks.
- Support for fast charging (up to 18W on compatible devices).
Cons:
- Outdated process technology (28 nm).
- Lack of 5G and Wi-Fi 6.
- Weak GPU for modern games.
7. Tips for Choosing a Smartphone
1. Battery: Look for a model with a 5000 mAh battery — this compensates for the chip’s high power consumption.
2. Cooling: Check for the presence of heat-dissipating elements in the housing.
3. Display: The optimal choice is an IPS matrix with a 720x1600 pixel resolution. AMOLED displays are rare in this segment.
4. Price: Don't overpay! Devices with SD 653 should not cost more than $150.
Popular Models in 2025:
- Realme C35 ($110) — focus on battery life.
- Samsung Galaxy A04s ($140) — improved camera.
8. Final Conclusion: Who is the Snapdragon 653 For?
This processor is a choice for those who:
- Are looking for the most affordable smartphone for calls, messaging, and social media.
- Do not plan to play demanding games or record 4K video.
- Are willing to cope with the absence of 5G.
Main Benefits: saving money (devices under $150), sufficient performance for everyday use, proven reliability of the platform.
Conclusion
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 653 is an example of a “workhorse” that continues to serve in the age of 5G and neural networks. It does not impress with technical specifications but remains in demand in countries where price is more important than innovation. If your budget is limited and your tasks are reduced to basic functions — this chip will be a sensible compromise. However, for future upgrades, it is worth considering devices with Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 or MediaTek Dimensity 6100+, which offer a better balance of price and capabilities.