Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665: Review of a Budget Processor in 2025
Relevance, capabilities, and use cases
Introduction
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 is a mobile system on a chip (SoC) released in 2019, yet it still appears in budget smartphones in 2024–2025. Despite its outdated manufacturing process, it remains popular due to its balance of price and basic performance. In this article, we'll explore who might consider the Snapdragon 665 today, how it handles modern tasks, and what to pay attention to when purchasing a device based on it.
1. Architecture and Manufacturing Process: The Foundation of Efficiency
Cores and Frequencies
The Snapdragon 665 is built on an 8-core Kryo 260 architecture, divided into two clusters:
- 4 high-performance Cortex-A73 cores with clock speeds up to 2.0 GHz (for heavy tasks).
- 4 energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of 1.8 GHz (for background processes).
This heterogeneous system (big.LITTLE) optimizes power consumption by switching between clusters based on load. However, by 2025, even budget chips (like the MediaTek Dimensity 700 or Snapdragon 4 Gen 3) utilize more modern Cortex-A55/A76 cores and a 6–7 nm manufacturing process, making the Snapdragon 665's architecture somewhat outdated.
Graphics Processor
Graphics are handled by the Adreno 610, which is suitable for basic gaming and UI tasks. It supports:
- Resolution up to Full HD+ (1080p).
- API Vulkan 1.1, OpenGL ES 3.2.
- Moderate gaming performance: for instance, Genshin Impact runs at around 20–25 FPS on low settings.
Manufacturing Process and Power Consumption
The chip is manufactured using an 11-nm technology, which looks archaic by 2025 (new budget SoCs use 6–8 nm). Nevertheless, with a TDP of 5W and dynamic frequency management, devices can operate without overheating while achieving battery life of up to 1.5–2 days with moderate usage.
2. Performance: The Realities of 2025
Daily Tasks
- Multitasking: The 8 cores handle messengers, social media, and streaming video, though delays are noticeable when switching between 10+ tabs in the browser.
- App Launching: Apps like YouTube, Spotify, Google Docs open in 2–3 seconds. Heavy editors (like Canva or Lightroom) may experience slowdowns.
Gaming
- Casual Gaming: Among Us, Candy Crush, and Subway Surfers run without issues.
- 3D Games: PUBG Mobile on medium settings (30 FPS), Call of Duty: Mobile — low settings.
- Heating: After 30 minutes of gaming, the device's casing heats up to 40–42°C, but throttling (frequency reduction) is almost nonexistent due to the modest GPU power.
Multimedia and AI
- Video: Supports 4K@30fps decoding (but only 1080p encoding). HDR10 and Dolby Vision are absent.
- AI Tasks: Lacks a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU). Basic AI functions (like background blurring in Zoom) are processed by the CPU, which reduces speed and accuracy.
Power Consumption
Average battery usage:
- 1 hour of gaming — 15–20%.
- 1 hour of video (YouTube, 1080p) — 8–10%.
- Standby mode — 1–2% overnight.
3. Built-in Modules: Connectivity and Navigation
- Modem: Snapdragon X12 LTE (up to 600 Mbps download). No 5G support, a significant drawback in 2025.
- Wi-Fi: Only Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), without Wi-Fi 6. It is suitable for home networks but not for high-traffic public hotspots.
- Bluetooth: Version 5.0 with aptX support for improved audio quality in wireless headphones.
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo. Accuracy up to 3 meters, sufficient for maps and taxi apps.
4. Comparison with Competitors
Snapdragon 665 vs. MediaTek Helio G85 (2020)
- Gaming: The Adreno 610 is weaker than the Mali-G52 MP2 in Helio G85, with a 10–15% FPS difference in games.
- Energy Efficiency: Snapdragon 665 is more efficient due to its 11 nm process compared to 12 nm for MediaTek.
Snapdragon 665 vs. Unisoc Tiger T616 (2023)
- The Unisoc T616 (8 cores Cortex-A75/A55) performs better in single-threaded tasks (+25% in Geekbench 6) but is less optimized for Android.
Conclusion: In 2025, Snapdragon 665 lags behind even the budget newcomers but wins in stability and pricing of devices.
5. Use Cases: Who Is It Suitable For?
- Daily Tasks: Calls, social media, online banking, video watching.
- Photo and Video: Cameras up to 48 MP (without zoom or advanced stabilization). Night shooting requires software improvements.
- Gaming: Only for undemanding projects.
Examples of 2025 Smartphones:
- Xiaomi Redmi A3: $160, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 5000mAh battery.
- Realme C55: $180, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, AMOLED screen.
6. Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Low device price ($150–250).
- Stable operation of Android 14 (with limitations).
- Cool operation even under load.
Weaknesses:
- No 5G or Wi-Fi 6.
- Weak GPU for modern games.
- Limited update support (1–2 years).
7. Practical Tips for Selection
1. RAM: Choose models with 6GB of RAM to reduce lag in multitasking.
2. Display: An IPS or AMOLED screen with 90Hz refresh rate will enhance the experience, but don’t expect high brightness.
3. Battery: Optimal is 5000mAh.
4. Cameras: Look for Sony or Samsung sensors (such as 50 MP ISOCELL JN1).
Who Should Buy:
- Seniors, teenagers, users “for calls.”
- As a second phone for work.
Who Should Not Buy:
- Gamers, bloggers, 4K shooting enthusiasts.
8. Final Conclusion
In 2025, Snapdragon 665 is a choice for those who value reliability and are not willing to pay extra for features they will not use. It is an ideal processor for:
- Budget smartphones under $200.
- Devices with long battery life.
- Users avoiding experimental technologies.
However, if speed, 5G support, or high-quality shooting are important to you, consider the Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 or MediaTek Dimensity 6100+.
Conclusion
Despite its age, Snapdragon 665 remains a workhorse in the budget gadget market. It appeals due to its stability and price but serves as a reminder that modern technology comes with a higher price tag. Choose it if your smartphone is a tool, not a toy.