The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 855 offer different levels of performance based on their target smartphone segments. Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is designed for affordable 5G devices, focusing on power efficiency, reliable connectivity, and smooth everyday performance. Snapdragon 855 is a flagship mobile platform built for higher processing power, advanced gaming, premium multimedia experiences, and demanding smartphone usage. The comparison below highlights their key specifications across CPU, graphics, memory, multimedia, and connectivity.
General
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 855 are designed for different smartphone segments. Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is an entry-level 5G mobile platform built for efficient daily usage, smooth multitasking, and reliable connectivity. Snapdragon 855 is a flagship platform that focuses on higher processing power, advanced gaming performance, and premium smartphone experiences.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 855 |
| Announced date | 6 September 2022 | 4 December 2018 |
| Class | Entry-level 5G | Flagship |
| Model number | SDM 4 Gen 1 | SDM855 |
| Brand | Qualcomm | Qualcomm |
CPU
The CPU architecture plays an important role in determining processing speed, efficiency, and multitasking capabilities. Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 uses a power-efficient CPU configuration designed for everyday activities such as browsing, streaming, and social media. Snapdragon 855 features a flagship-grade CPU architecture that delivers faster performance for gaming, demanding applications, and intensive workloads.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 855 |
| Architecture | ARM Cortex-A78 and A55 | ARM Cortex-A76 and A55 |
| Cores | 8 (4x Cortex-A78, 4x Cortex-A55) | 8 (1x Cortex-A76, 3x Cortex-A76, 4x Cortex-A55) |
| Frequency | Up to 2.0 GHz | Up to 2.84 GHz |
| Instruction set | ARMv8.2-A | ARMv8.2-A |
| Process | 6 nm | 7 nm |
| TDP (Sustained Power Limit) | 6W | 10W |
| Manufacturing | TSMC | TSMC |
Graphics
Graphics performance impacts gaming, video rendering, and overall visual experiences. Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 includes an Adreno GPU designed for smooth everyday graphics and casual gaming. Snapdragon 855 comes with the Adreno 640 GPU, offering stronger graphics processing for high-end gaming, advanced visuals, and demanding applications.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 855 |
| SoC | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 855 |
| GPU name | Adreno GPU | Adreno 640 |
| Architecture | Adreno | Adreno |
| GPU frequency | 950 MHz | 600 MHz |
| Execution units | 128 | 256 |
| Shading units | 128 | 256 |
| Total shaders | 128 | 256 |
| FLOPS | 1.1 TFLOPS | 2.6 TFLOPS |
| Vulkan version | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| OpenCL version | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| DirectX version | 12.1 | 12.1 |
Memory
Memory support affects multitasking, app loading speeds, and overall responsiveness. Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 supports LPDDR4X memory, which is suitable for everyday smartphone activities. Snapdragon 855 supports faster flagship-level performance with higher memory bandwidth, helping with gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 855 |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X |
| Memory frequency | 2133 MHz | 2133 MHz |
| Bus | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| Max bandwidth | 17 GB/s | 34 GB/s |
| Max size | 8GB | 16GB |
Multimedia (ISP)
Multimedia capabilities determine camera performance, display support, and video processing features. Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 supports high-resolution photography and efficient media handling for affordable smartphones. Snapdragon 855 offers advanced image processing, higher video recording capabilities, and premium multimedia features for flagship devices.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 855 |
| Storage type | UFS 2.2 | UFS 3.0 |
| Max display resolution | 2520 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Max camera resolution | Up to 108MP | Up to 192MP |
| Video capture | 4K at 30 FPS | 4K at 60 FPS |
| Video playback | 4K at 60 FPS | 8K at 30 FPS |
| Video codecs | H.264, H.265, VP9 | H.264, H.265, VP9 |
| Audio codecs | AAC, aptX, LDAC | AAC, aptX, LDAC |
Connectivity and network
Connectivity features influence download speeds, wireless performance, and network reliability. Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 offers integrated 5G connectivity with efficient network support for modern budget smartphones. Snapdragon 855 supports premium connectivity features with optional 5G capability through an external modem, making it suitable for flagship devices.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 855 |
| Modem | Snapdragon X51 5G Modem-RF System | Snapdragon X24 LTE Modem (integrated) + Snapdragon X50 5G Modem-RF System (optional) |
| 4G support | Yes | Yes |
| 5G support | Yes | No |
| Download speed | Up to 2.5 Gbps | Up to 2 Gbps |
| Upload speed | Up to 1.2 Gbps | Up to 316 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Navigation | GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou |