The Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite and Snapdragon Gen 3 represent significant milestones in Qualcomm’s lineup of mobile processors, each bringing a host of advanced features and performance improvements. While both processors are designed to deliver unparalleled mobile experiences, the Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite pushes the boundaries even further, offering enhanced AI capabilities, superior CPU and GPU performance, and cutting-edge connectivity features. Checkout the key differences and improvements that make the Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite a standout in the mobile technology landscape.
Comparison of key features and specifications of the Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite and Snapdragon Gen 3.
Comparison Table: Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite vs. Snapdragon Gen 3
| Feature | Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite | Snapdragon Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| AI Engine | Qualcomm AI Engine | Qualcomm AI Engine |
| Hexagon NPU | 45% improved performance, 45% better performance per watt | – |
| Hexagon Processor Features | Scalar Accelerator, Tensor Accelerator, HVX, Micro Tile Inferencing, Hexagon Direct Link, Fused AI Accelerator architecture | Scalar Accelerator, Tensor Accelerator, HVX, Micro Tile Inferencing, Hexagon Direct Link, Fused AI Accelerator architecture |
| Sensing Hub | Dual-core AI processor, Dual always-sensing cameras | Dual-core AI processor, Dual always-sensing cameras |
| CPU | Qualcomm Oryon™ | Qualcomm Kryo™ |
| CPU Architecture | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| CPU Clock Speed | Up to 4.32 GHz | Up to 3.4 GHz |
| GPU | Qualcomm Adreno™ | Qualcomm Adreno™ |
| GPU APIs | OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.3, OpenCL 3.0 FP | OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.3, OpenCL 2.0 FP |
| Cellular Modem-RF | Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System | Snapdragon X75 5G Modem-RF System |
| Peak Download Speed | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Peak Upload Speed | 3.5 Gbps | 3.5 Gbps |
| Modem RF Specs | 8 carriers (mmWave), 2×2 MIMO (mmWave), 4×6 MIMO (Sub-6) | 4×4 MIMO (Sub-6), 2×2 MIMO (mmWave), 8 carriers (mmWave) |
| Performance Enhancement Tech | Wideband Envelope Tracking, 5G Ultra-Low Latency Suite, 5G AI Processor Gen 2, Power RF Efficiency Suite, RF Uplink Optimization, Smart Transmit Gen 5, 5G AI Suite Gen 3, 5G PowerSave Gen 5 | 5G Ultra-Low Latency Suite, Smart Transmit Gen 4, 5G AI Suite Gen 2, 5G PowerSave Gen 4 |
| Cellular Technology | 5G NR, DSS, LTE, WCDMA, LAA, GSM/EDGE, EN-DC, CBRS, NR DC | sub-6 GHz, HSPA, TDD, LTE, WCDMA, FDD, SA (standalone), NSA (non-standalone), TD-SCDMA, CDMA 1x, EV-DO, GSM/EDGE, EN-DC, CBRS, NR-DC (mmWave-sub6 dual connectivity), SA (standalone) mmWave, mmWave |
| Multi SIM | Global 5G Multi-SIM, Dual SIM support DSDA Gen 2 (Dual Data) | Global 5G Multi-SIM, Dual SIM support DSDA Gen 2 (Dual Data) |
| Wi-Fi/Bluetooth System | Qualcomm FastConnect 7900 | Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 |
| Peak Speed | 5.8 Gbps | 5.8 Gbps |
| Wi-Fi Generation | Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 4 | Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 4 |
| Standards | 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a | 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a |
| Spectral Bands | 6 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz | 6 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz |
| Channels | 320 MHz | 320 MHz |
| Peak QAM | 4K QAM | 4K QAM |
| Wi-Fi Features | TDLS, Passpoint, High Band Simultaneous (HBS) Multi-Link, Wi-Fi Optimized Connectivity, MU-MIMO (UL/DL), Wi-Fi Aware R3, Wi-Fi QoS Management, Miracast, Wi-Fi Location, OFDMA (UL/DL), Voice-Enterprise, XPAN Technology | TDLS, Passpoint, High Band Simultaneous (HBS) Multi-Link, Wi-Fi Optimized Connectivity, MU-MIMO (UL/DL), Wi-Fi Aware R3, Wi-Fi QoS Management, Miracast, Wi-Fi Location, OFDMA (UL/DL), Voice-Enterprise, XPAN Technology |
In the ever-evolving world of mobile technology, Qualcomm continues to set the bar higher with its latest flagship SoC, the Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite. This powerful processor is designed to deliver unparalleled performance, efficiency, and a host of advanced features that cater to today’s tech-savvy users. Let’s dive into what makes the Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite a game-changer in the mobile industry.
On Device Neural Engine: The Brain Behind the Power
At the heart of the Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite lies the Qualcomm AI Engine, an advanced artificial intelligence platform that leverages the Hexagon NPU for unparalleled performance and efficiency. The Gen 4 elite Hexagon NPU ~ 65 TOPS(expected) boasts a 45% improvement in performance and a 45% better performance per watt compared to its predecessor. This means you get blazing-fast AI processing without compromising on battery life.
The AI Engine also supports a full suite of precisions, including INT4, INT8, INT16, and FP16, ensuring versatility and flexibility for various AI workloads. This makes it ideal for on-device personalization and multimodal support, allowing your device to adapt to your unique preferences and needs seamlessly.
The Qualcomm Sensing Hub, a dual-core AI processor paired with dual always-sensing cameras, further enhances the AI capabilities by understanding personal context and making suggestions and decisions that suit you best. This intelligent personalization ensures a more personalized and intuitive user experience.
Qualcomm Oryon™ CPU: Setting the Pace
The Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite’s Qualcomm Oryon™ CPU is a powerhouse, offering up to 45% improved CPU performance and 44% more power efficiency. With clock speeds reaching up to 4.32 GHz, this custom-built CPU is designed to handle demanding tasks with ease. The largest shared cache in the mobile industry ensures smooth and efficient multitasking, making it a perfect choice for power users.
Adreno GPU: Visual Excellence Unleashed
Graphics performance is another area where the Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite excels. The Qualcomm Adreno GPU delivers up to 40% improved performance and 40% better power efficiency, ensuring that your games and multimedia experiences are both stunning and power-efficient. The sliced architecture of the Adreno GPU provides astonishing graphics and realistic environments, enhancing immersion and visual quality.
Features like Unreal Engine 5.3 with Nanite, which produces film-quality 3D environments, and real-time Hardware Accelerated Ray Tracing (now 35% better) further elevate the gaming experience. The Snapdragon Game Super Resolution 2.0 provides higher quality and lower latency upscaling, while the Adreno Frame Motion Engine 2.0 doubles the frame rate of games with minimal impact on battery life.
Connectivity and Communication: Seamless and Swift
Connectivity is a critical aspect of modern devices, and the Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite doesn’t disappoint. Featuring the integrated Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System, it offers blazing download speeds of up to 10 Gbps, ensuring effortless entertainment and constant productivity. The modem supports a wide range of cellular technologies, including 5G NR, LTE, WCDMA, and GSM/EDGE, providing global coverage and reliability.
The Qualcomm FastConnect 7900 Mobile Connectivity System delivers a 40% improvement in power savings, with AI-optimized Wi-Fi 7 built for extreme power efficiency. This ensures that your device stays connected and responsive, even under heavy usage.
Camera and Imaging: Capturing Life in All Its Glory
The Qualcomm Spectra AI ISP in the Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite introduces several advanced features for photography and videography. Limitless Real-time Semantic Segmentation allows for precise segmentation of objects in photos and videos, while Insight AI provides real-time skin and sky adjustments, ensuring natural color and lighting in uncertain conditions. Ultra-low Light video capture and Video Object Eraser further enhance your imaging capabilities, allowing you to remove unwanted elements from videos and capture stunning visuals even in challenging lighting conditions.
Truepic photo capture with C2PA standard support lets you snap photos with a cryptographic seal, proving their authenticity and integrity.
Coming soon to the upcoming mobiles such as S25/S25 Ultra
The Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite is more than just a processor; it’s a comprehensive solution that elevates the mobile experience to new heights, most of the high end mobiles launching in 2025 will be featuring the Gen 4 elite. With its powerful AI capabilities, advanced CPU and GPU performance, robust connectivity, and cutting-edge camera features, it is poised to redefine what users expect from their mobile devices. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or capturing life’s moments, the Snapdragon Gen 4 Elite delivers a seamless and immersive experience that sets it apart from the competition.