Qualcomm’s new chip enhances CPU and GPU for midrange phones

It can be a great thing, being mid.

The mobile processor market is seeing significant advancement in budget segment capabilities with Qualcomm‘s latest announcement. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 represents a substantial upgrade for affordable, midrange Android phones, bringing features previously reserved for higher-end devices.

Core improvements: The new Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor delivers an 11% CPU performance boost and 29% GPU enhancement compared to its predecessor.

• The chip features a modern octa-core CPU configuration with Cortex-A720 and Cortex-A520 cores, replacing the older Cortex-A78 and Cortex-A55 architecture
• Gaming capabilities are enhanced through features like Game Super Resolution for visual upscaling and Adreno Frame Motion Engine for smoother gameplay
• Power efficiency has improved by 12% compared to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, despite using the same 4nm manufacturing process

AI capabilities: The processor introduces advanced artificial intelligence features typically found in more expensive devices.

• A dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) enables on-device generative AI capabilities
• INT4 support allows for better compression of AI models, making on-device AI more practical
• New AI features include content summarization and email drafting capabilities, though implementation will depend on phone manufacturers

Multimedia enhancements: Camera and display specifications have received significant upgrades to meet modern smartphone requirements.

• Single-camera support has increased from 48MP to 64MP with multi-frame processing
• Video capabilities now include 4K/30fps HDR capture
• Display refresh rates can reach 144Hz at FHD+ resolution, up from the previous 120Hz

Connectivity features: The chip includes modern wireless technologies to ensure future-proofing.

• Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive/Lossless/Voice support
• Wi-Fi 6E compatibility
• 5G connectivity with download speeds up to 2.9Gbps
• Quick Charge 4 Plus support for fast charging

Market outlook: These improvements could reshape the budget smartphone landscape, particularly if the technology reaches the U.S. market through manufacturers like OPPO, realme, and HONOR in the coming months. The challenge will be whether phone manufacturers fully utilize these capabilities in their commercial devices, especially the advanced AI features that could differentiate budget phones from their predecessors.