Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 uses newer CPU cores, 4nm manufacturing and a 5G modem, while Snapdragon 680 combines a 6nm process with higher 2.4GHz peak CPU speed and 4G connectivity.
General
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 arrived in June 2023 with a 4nm process and integrated 5G, while Snapdragon 680 was announced in October 2021 with a 6nm process and 4G.
| Specification | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 |
|---|
| Manufacturer | Qualcomm | Qualcomm |
| Processor | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 680 4G |
| Model number | SM4450 | SM6225 |
| Announcement | June 2023 | October 2021 |
| Manufacturing process | 4nm | 6nm |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| Architecture | 64-bit ARM | 64-bit ARM |
| Network class | 5G | 4G LTE |
Keep in mind: Snapdragon 680 is from Qualcomm's 6-series, but Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is newer and supports 5G. Series numbering alone does not show which platform has newer technology.
CPU
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 uses two Cortex-A78 performance cores with six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, while Snapdragon 680 uses four Kryo 265 Gold and four Kryo 265 Silver cores.
| Specification | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 |
|---|
| CPU configuration | 2 x Cortex-A78 + 6 x Cortex-A55 | 4 x Kryo 265 Gold + 4 x Kryo 265 Silver |
| Performance-core speed | Standard version up to 2.2GHz | Up to 2.4GHz |
| Platform maximum | Up to 2.3GHz on supported version | Up to 2.4GHz |
| Efficiency-core speed | Up to 2.0GHz | Up to 1.9GHz |
| Total cores | 8 | 8 |
| Instruction set | ARMv8.2-A | ARMv8.2-A |
| Manufacturing process | 4nm | 6nm |
Keep in mind: Snapdragon 680 has the higher clock speed, but Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 uses newer Cortex-A78 performance cores and records much higher Geekbench 6 scores.
Graphics
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 uses Adreno 613 graphics, while Snapdragon 680 uses Adreno 610 at a higher listed GPU clock; benchmark results still favour Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 overall.
| Specification | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 |
|---|
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Adreno 610 |
| GPU family | Adreno 600 series | Adreno 600 series |
| Listed GPU frequency | Up to 955MHz | Up to 1114MHz |
| OpenCL | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Geekbench GPU compute | 425 | 348 |
| AnTuTu 11 GPU | 31,221 | 26,761 |
Pro tip: Do not compare GPU frequency alone. Snapdragon 680 has a higher listed clock, but Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 records higher current GPU benchmark results.
Memory and storage
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 supports newer UFS 3.1 storage, while Snapdragon 680 supports UFS 2.2 and eMMC storage, which gives phone makers different options for app and file performance.
| Specification | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 |
|---|
| Maximum published memory speed | Up to 2133MHz on Qualcomm's public specification | LPDDR4X up to 2133MHz |
| Maximum RAM | Up to 8GB in current reference data | Up to 8GB |
| Storage support | UFS 3.1 support | eMMC and UFS 2.2 |
| Memory bus | 2 x 16-bit | 2 x 16-bit |
| Faster storage standard | UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.2 |
Buy this if: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is more relevant if the phone uses UFS 3.1 storage because faster storage can reduce app-loading and file-transfer times.
Multimedia and display
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 supports camera sensors up to 108MP and Full HD+ displays at 120Hz, while Snapdragon 680 supports 64MP photos and Full HD+ screens at 90Hz.
| Specification | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 |
|---|
| Image signal processor | Qualcomm Spectra, 12-bit | Qualcomm Spectra 346, triple 12-bit |
| Maximum camera | Up to 108MP | Up to 64MP |
| Dual-camera support | Up to 16MP + 16MP | Up to 16MP + 16MP |
| Maximum display class | Full HD+ | Full HD+ |
| Maximum refresh rate | Up to 120Hz | Up to 90Hz |
| Video capture | Up to 1080p at 60 frames per second | Up to 1080p at 60 frames per second |
| Image stabilisation support | Electronic image stabilisation | Supported through platform camera features |
Keep in mind: These are chipset limits. A phone maker may use a lower-resolution camera or slower display, so always check the actual handset specifications before buying.
Connectivity and network
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 uses the Snapdragon X61 modem with sub-6GHz 5G up to 2.5Gbps, while Snapdragon 680 uses the X11 LTE modem with downloads up to 390 Mbps.
| Specification | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 |
|---|
| Modem | Snapdragon X61 5G | Snapdragon X11 LTE |
| 5G | Sub-6GHz | No |
| Peak download | Up to 2.5Gbps | Up to 390 Mbps |
| Peak upload | Up to 900 Mbps | Up to 150 Mbps |
| Multi-SIM | Global 5G Multi-SIM | LTE Dual SIM Dual Standby |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| NavIC | Supported | Supported |
| Charging technology | Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ | Qualcomm Quick Charge 3 |
Keep in mind: Do not choose Snapdragon 680 if 5G access is essential to you. Phones using this processor are limited to 4G mobile networks.