TL; DR
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 launches tomorrow, positioned between the Snapdragon 8 Elite and the Snapdragon 7 series. It will compete with MediaTek’s upcoming 9400e.
- The 8s Gen 4 will feature a 4nm process, all-big-core CPU, Adreno 825 GPU, and scores over 2M on AnTuTu.
- It is expected in devices like iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro, POCO F7, and Xiaomi CIVI 5 Pro.
Qualcomm is gearing up to unveil its latest chipset, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, at a launch event in China tomorrow, April 2. This new chip will be positioned between the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite and the mid-range Snapdragon 7 series. Here’s a deep dive into what the 8s Gen 4 brings to the table.
Performance and Architecture
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is built on TSMC’s 4nm process, a cost-effective choice that prioritizes efficiency over the 3nm node used in the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Its CPU configuration features an all-big-core setup: one Cortex-X4 prime core at 3.21GHz, three Cortex-A720 performance cores at 3.01GHz, two more A720 cores at 2.80GHz, and two A720 efficiency cores at 2.02GHz.
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Notably absent are the Cortex-A520 efficiency cores found in previous generations, suggesting Qualcomm is banking on underclocked A720 cores for better power efficiency—a trend that started with chips like the Dimensity 9300.
The GPU is an Adreno 825, a step down from the Adreno 830 in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, but still capable for mobile gaming. It comes with 6MB of system-level cache (SLC) and 8MB of L3 cache, slight upgrades that should improve multitasking.
AnTuTu benchmarks peg the 8s Gen 4 at over 2 million points, placing it between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (1.6 million) and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (2.13 million), making it very close to last year’s 8 Gen 3 in terms of raw performance.
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AI and Camera Capabilities
Qualcomm has emphasized AI enhancements, with the 8s Gen 4 expected to improve on-device processing for tasks like image recognition, voice commands, and real-time translation. While it won’t match the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Hexagon NPU, it should still offer better computational photography, including enhanced low-light performance, HDR processing, and possibly 8K video recording.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Devices
The 8s Gen 4 targets the $500 to $700 price range, ideal for brands like Xiaomi, iQOO, and OPPO to offer flagship-like performance without flagship costs. The iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro, expected to be among the first to launch with this chip in April, could set the tone.
Other devices, like the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro (POCO F7) and Xiaomi CIVI 5 Pro, are also slated to feature the 8s Gen 4, with the latter potentially rebranded as the Xiaomi 15 Civi in India. Globally, the POCO F7 might debut as a rebranded Redmi Turbo 4 Pro.
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Why Not 8s Elite? Why 8s Gen 4?
Qualcomm is not calling the 8s Gen 4 the 8s Elite simply because it doesn’t feature the new Oryon cores seen on the Snapdragon 8 Elite. As for the real-world performance, it will depend on how manufacturers like iQOO, Xiaomi, and POCO optimize thermals and software—key factors in a chip’s success.
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