Snapdragon 7s Gen 4: A New Generation with Minimal Gains

Qualcomm released the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 in August 2025, but there are few differences compared with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. The clock speed of the highest-performance Cortex-A720 core increased from 2.5 to 2.7 GHz, while the configuration of the remaining cores and the 4-nm process remained unchanged. Performance improved by only a few percent. By 2026, the chip had appeared in smartphones priced at approximately $300 to $650.

Based on its name, it is easy to mistake the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 for a close relative of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, but there is a noticeable performance gap between them.

What Changed After the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3

The CPU consists of one Cortex-A720 clocked at up to 2.7 GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores at up to 2.4 GHz, and four power-efficient Cortex-A520 cores at up to 1.8 GHz.

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 has almost the same configuration. The main difference is that its highest-performance core reaches 2.5 GHz instead of 2.7 GHz.

In the Cputronic database, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 scores around 1190 points in the single-threaded Geekbench 6 test and 3248 points in the multi-threaded test. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 scores approximately 1196 and 3087 points, respectively.

There is no difference in the single-threaded test, while multi-threaded performance has increased by approximately 5%.

AnTuTu 10 shows around 857,000 points, compared with 809,000 for the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. That is not much of a gain for a new generation.

Real-World Smartphones with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4

By 2026, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 had appeared in smartphones from Xiaomi, Nothing, Infinix, vivo, and other manufacturers.

Results from specific models show how cooling, memory, and firmware affect the performance of the same SoC.

The POCO M8 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 15 Pro+ score around the 1.0-million mark in AnTuTu 11, while the Fairphone 6 Plus reaches approximately 1.1 million.

The smartphone's price does not determine the performance of the SoC itself. The Fairphone 6 Plus is significantly more expensive than the other models, although its price does not provide higher processor performance.

Retail smartphones with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 score approximately 1.0-1.1 million points in AnTuTu 11.

Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 vs. Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 and Dimensity 8350

The gap is noticeably larger compared with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4.

In the Cputronic database, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 scores around 1325 points in the single-threaded Geekbench 6 test and 4081 points in the multi-threaded test. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 scores approximately 1190 and 3248 points, respectively.

In multi-threaded workloads, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is approximately 25% faster.

The Dimensity 8350 widens the gap further, scoring around 1298 points in the single-threaded Geekbench 6 test and 4368 points in the multi-threaded test.

The identical 7 in the name does not mean an identical level of performance. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 is noticeably slower than the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 and Dimensity 8350, especially in multi-threaded workloads.

Adreno 810 Graphics and Gaming

Graphics are handled by the Adreno 810. It performs well in online games, but settings have to be reduced in demanding titles.

Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile can run at approximately 60-90 FPS, depending on the settings and the specific smartphone. In less demanding games, some models can reach 120 FPS.

Frame rates are noticeably lower in Genshin Impact. The Nothing Phone (4a) delivers around 44 FPS, while the Infinix Note 60 Pro reaches approximately 35-40 FPS. For more stable frame rates, graphics settings have to be reduced.

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 is powerful enough for PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile, and most undemanding games. In Genshin Impact and other demanding games, it is more reasonable to expect medium settings rather than maximum graphics.

How the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 Performs in Everyday Apps

It is difficult to hit the performance limits of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 in browsers, messaging apps, social networks, and navigation.

At the same time, two smartphones based on the same Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 may perform differently. Memory, storage, cooling, and the manufacturer's settings affect app launch times and performance under sustained workloads.

The SoC supports LPDDR5 and UFS 3.1, but the smartphone manufacturer may install slower memory or storage.

Is a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 Smartphone Worth Buying?

In a $300-350 smartphone, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 delivers performance appropriate for its class. The POCO M8 Pro 5G and similarly priced models score around one million points in AnTuTu 11, run everyday apps quickly, and can launch virtually any Android game.

At $400-450, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 has to be compared with noticeably faster platforms. Smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, Dimensity 8350, and other more powerful SoCs are available at those prices.

Above $500, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 no longer offers enough performance to justify the smartphone's price. At that point, the additional cost should be justified by other advantages, such as long-term support, repairability, a camera, or a display.

The price guideline is as follows: around $300-350 is acceptable for a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 smartphone, but once the price approaches $450, it is reasonable to demand a faster SoC.

Conclusion

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 received a new generation number but barely changed its performance level. Qualcomm increased the clock speed of the highest-performance Cortex-A720 core from 2.5 to 2.7 GHz, which accounts for almost all of the CPU changes.

Retail smartphones with this chip score approximately 1.0-1.1 million points in AnTuTu 11. There are no speed problems in everyday apps, while PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile run without major compromises. In Genshin Impact and other demanding games, settings already have to be reduced.

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 should primarily be evaluated together with the smartphone's price. At $300-350, it is difficult to make serious complaints about its performance. At prices starting at $450, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, Dimensity 8350, and other faster SoCs offer noticeably more performance.