Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845: A Retrospective and Relevance in 2025
Review of a processor that was once flagship, now a budget solution
Introduction
In 2018, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 was a symbol of technological excellence, setting standards for flagship smartphones. Seven years later, in 2025, this chip has transformed into an affordable solution for budget devices. But is it worth considering today? Let's explore the architecture, performance, and use cases of the Snapdragon 845 to understand who it may be suitable for in the era of 5G and neural networks.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: The Foundation of Stability
The Snapdragon 845 is built on a 10nm process technology—a breakthrough for its time, but now it lags behind 5nm and 3nm chips. Nonetheless, this technology provided a balance between performance and energy consumption.
- CPU: 8 Kryo 385 Cores
The chip uses a heterogeneous big.LITTLE architecture:
- 4 high-performance cores with a frequency of up to 2.8 GHz (based on Cortex-A75).
- 4 energy-efficient cores running up to 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A55).
L2 cache is 256 KB per cluster, which accelerates data processing.
- GPU: Adreno 630
The GPU supports Vulkan, OpenGL ES 3.2, and DirectX 12. In 2025, its capabilities suffice for less demanding games and HD video rendering. The peak performance is around 727 MP/s (million pixels per second).
Features:
- Support for artificial intelligence via Hexagon 685 DSP, accelerating tasks like facial recognition.
- Energy efficiency: TDP of 9W—higher than modern chips (for example, Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 has a TDP of 5W), but thanks to cluster core management, the device does not overheat during basic tasks.
2. Performance: What Can the Snapdragon 845 Do in 2025?
Evaluation through the lens of modern requirements:
- Gaming:
- Casual games (Angry Birds, Candy Crush)—smooth performance.
- Mid-core games (PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends)—medium settings at 30–40 FPS.
- Heavy titles (Genshin Impact)—only on low settings with potential FPS drops.
- Multimedia:
- Playback of video at 4K@60 FPS.
- Streaming in Full HD.
- Photo/video editing in apps (Lightroom, VSCO) with delays on complex filters.
- AI applications:
- Basic functions: photo styling, automatic exposure adjustment.
- Neural network tasks (e.g., real-time translation) run slower than on next-gen NPU chips.
- Power consumption and heating:
A 4000mAh battery lasts a day with moderate use. Under heavy load (gaming, video recording), the smartphone can heat up to 42-45°C, but it does not reach critical levels (unlike Snapdragon 810).
3. Integrated Modules: Connectivity Without 5G
The Snapdragon 845 is geared toward 4G networks, which feels outdated in 2025:
- Modem: Snapdragon X20 LTE (speed up to 1.2 Gbps).
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) supporting 2.4/5GHz frequencies.
- Bluetooth: 5.0 (an older version—modern chips use Bluetooth 5.3).
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS.
Limitations:
- No support for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 6E.
- Latency in online gaming due to LTE.
4. Comparison with Competitors: Where Does the Snapdragon 845 Stand?
- 2018 Generation:
- Apple A11 Bionic: Superior single-threaded performance (Geekbench 6 SC ~1100), but poorer optimization for Android.
- Huawei Kirin 970: Similar performance metrics, but a weaker GPU.
- Modern Budget Chips (2025):
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 3: Better energy efficiency (6nm), 5G support, but comparable multi-threaded performance.
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+: Higher GPU clock speed, modern modem.
Conclusion: The Snapdragon 845 lags in connectivity speed and AI tasks, but remains a stable option for basic needs.
5. Use Cases: Who Is It Suitable For?
- Gaming: Only for casual games.
- Everyday Tasks: Social media, messaging, web surfing.
- Photo and Video:
- 4K@60 FPS recording (but without HDR10+).
- Portrait editing with bokeh effect.
- Video recording with electronic stabilization.
Ideal Users:
- Those who do not need 5G.
- Fans of proven solutions with a limited budget ($150–250).
6. Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- Low device cost.
- Stable performance in basic scenarios.
- Support for 4K video.
Disadvantages:
- Outdated process technology (higher energy consumption).
- Lack of 5G and Wi-Fi 6.
- Limited support for AI features.
7. Practical Tips for Choosing
- Cooling: Choose models with liquid cooling (e.g., older gaming smartphones like Xiaomi Black Shark).
- Memory: Ideally, 6/128 GB (less than 6 GB RAM may cause lags).
- Battery: At least 4000mAh.
- Updates: Check if the device will receive Android 14/15.
Examples of 2025 Devices:
- Nokia X20 ($199): Pure Android, long support.
- Xiaomi Poco F1 (discontinued, but available in stock): Best price-to-performance ratio.
8. Final Conclusion: Who Is the Snapdragon 845 For?
This processor is a choice for those who:
- Are not willing to spend more than $200–250 on a smartphone.
- Use the device for calls, social media, and occasional gaming.
- Value reliability and proven solutions.
Key Benefits:
- Affordable price.
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks.
- Support for 4K content.
In 2025, the Snapdragon 845 is not at the pinnacle of progress but is a rational choice for budget-conscious users. If you don’t need neural networks and 5G, it will serve as a reliable companion for the next 1–2 years.