The MediaTek Helio G85 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G are 4G processors designed for budget and mid-range smartphones. Both chipsets support octa-core CPUs, LPDDR4X memory, and modern connectivity features for everyday tasks, gaming, photography, and multimedia usage. However, they differ in manufacturing process, CPU architecture, GPU performance, camera capabilities, and connectivity speeds. These differences impact gaming performance, app responsiveness, multitasking, image processing, and video recording capabilities.
General
The MediaTek Helio G85 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G are built for different smartphone segments. The Helio G85 focuses on budget smartphones with efficient performance, while the Snapdragon 720G targets upper budget and mid-range devices with stronger processing and imaging capabilities.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G |
| Launch date | April 2020 | January 2020 |
| Brand | MediaTek | Qualcomm |
| Model number | MT6769V/CZ | SM7125 |
| Target segment | Budget smartphones | Upper budget and mid-range smartphones |
| Network support | 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
| Manufacturing process | 12nm | 8nm |
| Foundry | TSMC | Samsung |
| 64-bit support | Yes | Yes |
CPU
The CPU manages application performance, multitasking, web browsing, and background processes. The MediaTek Helio G85 features Cortex-A75 and Cortex-A55 cores, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G uses Kryo 465 cores based on Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55 architectures for higher processing performance.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G |
| CPU architecture | ARM Cortex-A75 + Cortex-A55 | Kryo 465 (Cortex-A76 + Cortex-A55 based) |
| Total cores | 8 | 8 |
| Performance cores | 2 × Cortex-A75 @ 2.0GHz | 2 × Kryo 465 Gold @ 2.3GHz |
| Efficiency cores | 6 × Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz | 6 × Kryo 465 Silver @ 1.8GHz |
| Maximum clock speed | 2.0GHz | 2.3GHz |
| Instruction set | ARMv8.2-A | ARMv8-A |
| Process node | 12nm | 8nm |
| 64-bit support | Yes | Yes |
Graphics
The GPU influences gaming performance, graphics rendering, and video playback. The MediaTek Helio G85 includes the Mali-G52 MC2 GPU with HyperEngine technology, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G features the Adreno 618 GPU with Snapdragon Elite Gaming enhancements for improved graphics performance.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 618 |
| GPU architecture | Arm Bifrost | Adreno 600 series |
| Maximum GPU frequency | 1.0GHz | 750MHz |
| Gaming features | MediaTek HyperEngine | Snapdragon Elite Gaming |
| Vulkan | Vulkan 1.1 | Vulkan 1.1 |
| OpenGL ES | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Hardware video acceleration | Yes | Yes |
Memory
Memory performance affects app loading, multitasking, and file transfers. Both processors support LPDDR4X memory and up to 8GB RAM. The Snapdragon 720G supports slightly higher memory frequency, offering improved data transfer speeds in supported devices.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X |
| Maximum memory frequency | 1,800MHz | 1,866MHz |
| Memory bus width | 2 × 16-bit | 2 × 16-bit |
| Maximum bandwidth | 14.4GB/s | 14.9GB/s |
| Maximum RAM support | 8GB | 8GB |
| ECC memory support | No | No |
Multimedia (ISP)
The ISP manages camera processing, video recording, and image enhancement. The MediaTek Helio G85 supports up to 48MP camera sensors, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G offers support for higher-resolution cameras with the Spectra 350L ISP and advanced imaging features.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G |
| ISP | MediaTek ISP | Qualcomm Spectra 350L ISP |
| Storage support | eMMC 5.1, UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Maximum display resolution | 2520 × 1080 pixel | 2520 × 1080 pixel |
| Maximum refresh rate | 90Hz | 90Hz |
| Maximum camera resolution | 48MP | 192MP |
| Multi-camera support | 16MP + 16MP | Dual 22MP |
| Video capture | 2K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps | 4K at 30fps HDR |
| Video playback | 2K | 4K HDR |
| Video codecs | H.264, H.265, VP9 | H.264, H.265, VP9 |
| Audio codecs | AAC, LDAC, aptX supported by device | AAC, aptX Adaptive, LDAC supported by device |
Connectivity and network
Connectivity features affect internet speeds, online gaming, video calls, and navigation. Both processors support 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth, and GNSS positioning. The Snapdragon 720G offers higher peak download speeds through its Snapdragon X15 LTE modem.
| Specification | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G |
| Cellular modem | Integrated LTE Cat-7 | Snapdragon X15 LTE |
| Network support | 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
| Maximum download speed | 300Mbps | 800Mbps |
| Maximum upload speed | 100Mbps | 150Mbps |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Navigation | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC |