Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810: Architecture, Capabilities, and Relevance in 2025
Overview of a processor that was once a flagship but has now become part of the budget segment
Introduction
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, a system-on-chip (SoC) released in 2015, became one of the most debated mobile processors of its time. Despite its innovative architecture and high performance specifications, it faced criticism due to overheating and power consumption issues. In 2025, devices based on this chip are still found in the budget segment, offering basic features at an affordable price. In this article, we will explore who might be interested in the Snapdragon 810 today, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it compares to modern competitors.
1. Architecture and Process Technology
The Snapdragon 810 is built on a 20-nanometer process, which was an advanced solution for 2015 but is considered outdated by 2025 (modern chips use 3–5 nm). Its architecture includes:
- 8 cores following the big.LITTLE configuration: 4 high-performance Cortex-A57 cores with a clock speed of up to 2 GHz and 4 energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores (up to 1.5 GHz).
- L2 Cache: 2 MB, which improves data access speed for frequently used tasks.
- Adreno 430 GPU: supported DirectX 11.2, OpenGL ES 3.1, and resolutions up to 4K.
However, the 20nm process limits energy efficiency: under load, the chip heats up quickly, leading to throttling (reducing frequency for cooling). This is particularly noticeable in gaming and high-load applications.
2. Performance in Real-World Tasks
Gaming
In 2025, the Snapdragon 810 can only handle simple games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers. Modern titles (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile) will lag on minimal settings due to weak GPU and thermal limitations.
Multimedia
The chip supports 4K video decoding at 30fps and output to external displays via HDMI. This makes it suitable for watching movies, but shooting 4K video is feasible only for short sessions due to overheating.
Artificial Intelligence
The Snapdragon 810 lacks a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), thus AI tasks (such as photo processing and voice assistants) are performed slowly. For example, applying filters in applications like Adobe Lightroom can take 2–3 seconds.
Power Consumption and Heat Management
Average power consumption is 5–6W under load, which is twice that of modern chips (e.g., Snapdragon 7 Gen 3). A 3000 mAh battery lasts 3–4 hours of active use. Cooling systems in older smartphones (copper tubes, graphite film) do not prevent throttling.
3. Integrated Modules
- Modem: Snapdragon X10 LTE supports 4G Cat 9 (speeds up to 450 Mbps) but is incompatible with 5G.
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac (up to 433 Mbps) and Bluetooth 4.1 — outdated standards (by 2025, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are popular).
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou are sufficient for basic positioning but lack L5 support for high accuracy.
These modules are suitable for entry-level smartphones but not for devices with demands for high-speed internet or wireless connectivity.
4. Comparison with Competitors
Modern Alternatives (2025):
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 (4 nm): better energy efficiency, supports 5G, Geekbench 6 Single-Core score — 900.
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm): twice the GPU performance, Wi-Fi 6, devices priced from $150.
Competitors from 2015:
- Exynos 7420 (Samsung): 14 nm process technology, less heating, Geekbench 6 Single-Core score — 240.
- Apple A9 (16 nm): higher IPC (Single-Core — 420 in Geekbench 6), but only 2 cores.
The Snapdragon 810 lags behind even its generation's chips in operational stability but excels in multi-threaded tasks due to its multicore design.
5. Use Cases
- Gaming: Only suitable for casual games.
- Daily Tasks: Social media, messaging, web browsing — operate without issues.
- Photo and Video: 4K shooting is possible but with limitations. For image processing, it's better to use a PC or cloud services.
Devices using the Snapdragon 810 are suitable as secondary phones or for elderly users who do not need high performance.
6. Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- Low cost of smartphones (new devices priced between $120 and $200).
- Supports 4G and basic communication standards.
- Adequate performance for simple tasks.
Disadvantages:
- Overheating and throttling.
- Lack of 5G and modern Wi-Fi/Bluetooth standards.
- Weak AI capabilities.
7. Practical Tips for Selecting a Device
- Cooling: Look for models with heat sinks or ventilation grids.
- Battery: At least 4000 mAh to compensate for high power consumption.
- Price: Don’t overpay — in 2025, a smartphone with the SD810 should not cost more than $200.
This chip is most commonly found in budget models from brands like Xiaomi (Redmi Go series), Nokia, or ASUS (Zenfone Max).
8. Final Conclusion
In 2025, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 is a choice for those needing the cheapest smartphone for calls, messaging, and video watching. It falls short of modern chips in speed, energy efficiency, and functionality, but it excels in price. Major benefits include:
- Affordability.
- Support for 4G.
- Compatibility with most applications from stores.
However, for gaming, content creation, or AI tasks, such a processor is no longer adequate. If your budget allows, it's better to choose a device with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 or Dimensity 6100+ — they provide more capabilities for the same $150–$250.