Both processors have eight CPU cores and support 4G smartphones, but Snapdragon 680 uses a smaller process and higher CPU clock. Their graphics, camera, memory and display capabilities also differ.
General
MediaTek Helio G85 arrived in 2020 on a 12nm process, while Snapdragon 680 followed in 2021 on 6nm, giving the Qualcomm chip a smaller manufacturing node for lower power use.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G |
| Manufacturer | MediaTek | Qualcomm |
| Processor | Helio G85 | Snapdragon 680 4G |
| Model number | MT6769Z | SM6225 |
| Announcement | April 2020 | October 2021 |
| Manufacturing process | 12nm | 6nm |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| CPU architecture | 64-bit ARM | 64-bit ARM |
| Mobile network | 4G | 4G |
Keep in mind: The 6nm process gives Snapdragon 680 a newer efficiency-focused platform. Actual phone battery life still depends on the display, battery size and software.
CPU
Snapdragon 680 uses four Kryo 265 Gold cores up to 2.4GHz, while Helio G85 uses two Cortex-A75 performance cores up to 2.0GHz for demanding app and system workloads.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G |
| Performance cores | 2 x Cortex-A75 | 4 x Kryo 265 Gold |
| Performance-core speed | Up to 2.0GHz | Up to 2.4GHz |
| Efficiency cores | 6 x Cortex-A55 | 4 x Kryo 265 Silver |
| Efficiency-core speed | Up to 1.8GHz | Up to 1.9GHz |
| Total cores | 8 | 8 |
| Instruction set | ARMv8.2-A | ARMv8.2-A |
| Manufacturing process | 12nm | 6nm |
Keep in mind: Snapdragon 680 has more high-clocked CPU cores, but Helio G85 records a narrowly higher current Geekbench 6 single-core average.
Graphics
Helio G85 uses Mali-G52 MC2 graphics at up to 1GHz, while Snapdragon 680 uses Adreno 610 graphics at a higher listed frequency and supports modern graphics application programming interfaces.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| GPU architecture | Bifrost | Adreno 600 family |
| GPU frequency | Up to 1GHz | Up to 1114MHz |
| OpenCL | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| AnTuTu 11 GPU score | 28,220 | 26,761 |
Pro tip: Do not choose only by GPU clock speed. Helio G85 records the higher AnTuTu GPU sub-score despite Snapdragon 680 having the higher listed GPU frequency.
Memory
Snapdragon 680 supports LPDDR4X memory up to 2133MHz with about 17 GB/s bandwidth, while Helio G85 supports LPDDR4X up to 1800MHz with lower listed memory bandwidth.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X |
| Maximum memory frequency | 1800MHz | 2133MHz |
| Maximum RAM | Up to 8GB | Up to 8GB |
| Memory bus | 2 x 16-bit | 2 x 16-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 13.41 GB/s | 17 GB/s |
| Storage support | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC and UFS 2.2 |
Buy this if: Snapdragon 680 gives phone makers faster memory and UFS 2.2 storage support, which can help app loading when the phone uses compatible storage.
Multimedia and ISP
Snapdragon 680 supports photos up to 64MP and Full HD+ displays at 90Hz, while Helio G85 supports 48MP cameras and Full HD+ displays at 60Hz.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G |
| Maximum single camera | Up to 48MP | Up to 64MP |
| Dual-camera support | Up to 16MP + 16MP | Up to 16MP + 16MP |
| Image processor | MediaTek ISP | Qualcomm Spectra 346 |
| Video capture | Up to 2K at 30 frames per second | Up to 1080p at 60 frames per second |
| Video playback | Up to 2K at 30 frames per second | Up to 1080p at 60 frames per second |
| Maximum display resolution | 2520 x 1080 pixel | 2520 x 1080 pixel |
| Maximum Full HD+ refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| AI hardware | MediaTek NeuroPilot support | Qualcomm Hexagon 686 |
Keep in mind: Snapdragon 680 supports the higher camera resolution, but real photo quality depends on the sensor, lens, stabilisation and phone maker's image processing.
Connectivity and network
Both chipsets support 4G LTE and Wi-Fi 5, while Snapdragon 680 offers higher published LTE download speed and Bluetooth 5.1 compared with Bluetooth 5.0 on Helio G85.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G |
| Mobile network | 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
| Modem | Integrated LTE modem | Snapdragon X11 LTE modem |
| LTE category | Cat-7 download/Cat-13 upload | Cat-13 |
| Peak download speed | Up to 300 Mbps | Up to 390 Mbps |
| Peak upload speed | Up to 100 Mbps | Up to 150 Mbps |
| Dual SIM | Dual 4G VoLTE supported | LTE dual SIM dual standby |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Navigation | GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS and NavIC |
Keep in mind: Neither chipset supports 5G. Buyers who want access to 5G networks should consider a phone built around a 5G-capable processor instead.