The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 845 target different smartphone categories and technology generations. Snapdragon 845 debuted in December 2017 on Samsung's 10nm LPP manufacturing process for flagship smartphones, while Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 launched in June 2023 using Samsung's advanced 4nm node for affordable 5G devices. The processors differ significantly in manufacturing technology, connectivity, AI capabilities, and market positioning. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 introduces integrated 5G support and higher power efficiency, whereas Snapdragon 845 focuses on flagship-class CPU, GPU, imaging, and multimedia capabilities developed for premium smartphones.
General
Snapdragon 845 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 represent different stages of Qualcomm's mobile processor roadmap. Snapdragon 845 introduced flagship-grade processing, premium multimedia support, and advanced AI features during 2018, while Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 focuses on affordable 5G smartphones with modern connectivity and improved battery efficiency through Samsung's 4nm manufacturing process. Both processors use a 64-bit CPU architecture, but only Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 supports integrated standalone and non-standalone 5G connectivity.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 845 |
|---|
| Launch date | 26 June 2023 | 6 December 2017 |
| Processor generation | Snapdragon 4 series | Snapdragon 800 series |
| Target devices | Affordable 5G smartphones | Flagship smartphones |
| Manufacturing process | Samsung 4nm | Samsung 10nm LPP |
| CPU architecture | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| Network support | 5G SA, 5G NSA, 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
| Model number | SM4450 | SDM845 |
CPU
Both processors feature octa-core CPU configurations, but their architectures reflect different priorities. Snapdragon 845 uses four Kryo 385 Gold cores based on ARM Cortex-A75 running at up to 2.8GHz together with four Kryo 385 Silver cores derived from Cortex-A55 operating at 1.8GHz. This configuration delivers sustained performance for intensive gaming, high-resolution video editing, and demanding multitasking. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 integrates two Cortex-A78-based Kryo performance cores at 2.2GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores at 2.0GHz, improving power efficiency for everyday applications, web browsing, social media, video streaming, and prolonged smartphone usage.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 845 |
|---|
| CPU design | Octa-core | Octa-core |
| Performance cores | 2 × Kryo (Cortex-A78) @ 2.2GHz | 4 × Kryo 385 Gold (Cortex-A75) @ 2.8GHz |
| Efficiency cores | 6 × Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz | 4 × Kryo 385 Silver (Cortex-A55) @ 1.8GHz |
| Highest clock speed | 2.2GHz | 2.8GHz |
| Instruction set | ARMv8-A | ARMv8-A |
| Manufacturing node | Samsung 4nm | Samsung 10nm LPP |
| 64-bit support | Yes | Yes |
Graphics
Qualcomm equips both processors with Adreno graphics, but each GPU targets different workloads. Snapdragon 845 integrates the Adreno 630 GPU, delivering graphics throughput suitable for demanding Android games, HDR rendering, 4K displays, and advanced visual effects available in flagship smartphones. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 features the Adreno 613 GPU, balancing graphics capability with lower power consumption for Full HD+ displays, casual gaming, video streaming, and smooth interface animations while maintaining longer battery life on affordable smartphones.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 845 |
|---|
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Adreno 630 |
| GPU architecture | Adreno | Adreno |
| GPU cores | Qualcomm proprietary | Qualcomm proprietary |
| Maximum frequency | 955MHz | 710MHz |
| Vulkan API | Vulkan 1.3 | Vulkan 1.1 |
| OpenGL ES | OpenGL ES 3.2 | OpenGL ES 3.2 |
| OpenCL | OpenCL 2.0 | OpenCL 2.0 |
| DirectX | DirectX 12 | DirectX 12 |
| Display capability | Full HD+ up to 120Hz | 4K Ultra HD display support |
| Gaming optimisation | Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite Gaming features | Qualcomm Adreno graphics optimisations |
Memory
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 845 support LPDDR4X memory, but their memory subsystems are designed for different smartphone generations. Snapdragon 845 provides a 64-bit memory interface with bandwidth of up to 29.8GB/s, enabling faster access to large game assets, high-resolution image processing, and smoother multitasking across demanding applications. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 also supports LPDDR4X memory with an updated controller designed for improved power efficiency during everyday smartphone use, including app switching, media streaming, and prolonged battery life.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 845 |
|---|
| Memory technology | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X |
| Maximum frequency | 2,133MHz | 1,866MHz |
| Memory interface | 2 × 16-bit | 4 × 16-bit (64-bit) |
| Maximum bandwidth | 17GB/s | 29.8GB/s |
| Maximum RAM | 16GB | 8GB |
| Storage support | UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| eMMC support | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
Multimedia
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 integrates Qualcomm's Spectra Image Signal Processor, supporting camera resolutions of up to 108MP for detailed photography on affordable 5G smartphones. The ISP enables multi-frame image processing, Full HD slow-motion recording, and 1080p video capture suitable for social media content and everyday photography. Snapdragon 845 features the Spectra 280 ISP, supporting up to 32MP single-camera sensors, dual 16MP cameras, and 4K HDR video recording at 60fps, making it suitable for advanced photography, premium video recording, and HDR content creation.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 845 |
|---|
| Image processor | Qualcomm Spectra ISP | Qualcomm Spectra 280 ISP |
| Maximum camera | 108MP | 32MP single camera |
| Multi-camera support | Dual 16MP | Dual 16MP |
| Maximum video recording | 1080p at 60fps | 4K at 60fps |
| Maximum display resolution | Full HD+ | 4K Ultra HD |
| Maximum refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Video codecs | H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9 | H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9 |
| Audio codecs | AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC | AAC, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
Connectivity and network
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 integrates the Snapdragon X61 5G modem with support for standalone and non-standalone 5G networks, delivering theoretical download speeds of up to 2.5Gbps and upload speeds reaching 900Mbps. This configuration supports high-quality video streaming, cloud gaming, and faster downloads on compatible 5G networks. Snapdragon 845 integrates the Snapdragon X20 LTE modem supporting Category 18 LTE with download speeds of up to 1.2Gbps and upload speeds of 150Mbps. It also supports dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 for reliable wireless connectivity across premium smartphones of its generation.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 845 |
|---|
| 5G modem | Snapdragon X61 | Not supported |
| 5G compatibility | 5G SA and 5G NSA | No |
| Maximum download speed | 2.5Gbps | 1.2Gbps (LTE) |
| Maximum upload speed | 900Mbps | 150Mbps (LTE) |
| Dual SIM | Dual 5G SIM | Dual 4G LTE SIM |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Navigation | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, NavIC, BeiDou, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS |