A processor's CPU, GPU, memory, multimedia engine, and connectivity determine how efficiently a smartphone handles app switching, gaming, photography, streaming, and downloads. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 865 differ in architecture, graphics capability, memory bandwidth, and modem performance, making them suitable for different smartphone categories.
General
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 targets budget 5G smartphones launched in 2023, while Snapdragon 865 was introduced in 2019 for flagship devices. The processors use Samsung 4nm and TSMC 7nm manufacturing processes respectively, offering different CPU architectures, modem capabilities, and performance characteristics.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 865 |
|---|
| Brand | Qualcomm | Qualcomm |
| Model | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 865 |
| Announced | June 2023 | December 2019 |
| Target segment | Budget 5G smartphones | Flagship smartphones |
| Network support | 5G, 4G LTE | 5G, 4G LTE |
| Manufacturing process | 4nm | 7nm |
CPU
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 features Cortex-A78 and Cortex-A55 CPU cores for everyday multitasking and efficient power usage. Snapdragon 865 uses Kryo 585 CPU cores based on Cortex-A77 architecture with higher clock speeds, enabling faster application loading, demanding multitasking, and intensive processing workloads.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 865 |
|---|
| CPU architecture | Cortex-A78 + Cortex-A55 | Kryo 585 (Cortex-A77 + Cortex-A55) |
| CPU cores | 8-core | 8-core |
| Performance cores | 2x Cortex-A78@2.2GHz | 1x Kryo 585 Prime (Cortex-A77)@2.84GHz + 3x Kryo 585 Gold (Cortex-A77)@2.42GHz |
| Efficiency cores | 6x Cortex-A55@2.0GHz | 4x Kryo 585 Silver (Cortex-A55)@1.8GHz |
| Maximum clock speed | 2.2GHz | 2.84GHz |
| Instruction set | ARMv8.2-A | ARMv8.2-A |
| 64-bit support | Yes | Yes |
| Process node | 4nm | 7nm |
Graphics
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 integrates the Adreno 613 GPU for HD and FHD gaming with displays supporting up to 120fps. Snapdragon 865 includes the flagship Adreno 650 GPU, supporting advanced graphics, HDR gaming, higher frame rates, and demanding titles with improved visual quality.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 865 |
|---|
| GPU model | Adreno 613 | Adreno 650 |
| GPU generation | Adreno 6 Series | Adreno 6 Series |
| Gaming capability | Casual gaming, HD and FHD titles, up to 120fps supported displays | High-end gaming, HDR graphics, high-refresh-rate gameplay |
| Vulkan support | Vulkan 1.1 | Vulkan 1.1 |
| OpenGL ES | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Video playback | HD and FHD streaming | Up to 8K HDR video playback |
Memory
Both processors support LPDDR5 memory, but Snapdragon 865 provides higher memory frequency and bandwidth for demanding workloads. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 supports LPDDR5 and LPDDR4X memory for budget smartphones while maintaining compatibility with up to 16GB RAM.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 865 |
|---|
| Memory type | LPDDR5, LPDDR4X | LPDDR5 |
| Maximum memory frequency | 6,400Mbps (LPDDR5), 4,266Mbps (LPDDR4X) | 5,500Mbps |
| Memory bus width | 2 × 16-bit | 4 × 16-bit |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 25.6GB/s | 44GB/s |
| Maximum RAM support | 16GB | 16GB |
| ECC memory support | No | No |
Multimedia (ISP)
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 uses the Qualcomm Spectra ISP with support for a single 108MP camera and FHD+ displays. Snapdragon 865 integrates the Spectra 480 ISP, supporting 200MP cameras, 8K video recording, HDR imaging, and faster image processing for flagship smartphones.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 865 |
|---|
| ISP | Qualcomm Spectra ISP | Qualcomm Spectra 480 ISP |
| Storage support | UFS 3.1, UFS 2.2 | UFS 3.1 |
| Maximum display resolution | FHD+ | QHD+ |
| Maximum refresh rate | Up to 120Hz | Up to 144Hz |
| Maximum camera resolution | 108MP (single camera) | 200MP |
| Multi-camera support | Yes | Yes |
| Video recording | 1080p at 60fps | 8K at 30fps, 4K at 120fps |
| Video playback | H.264, H.265, VP9 | H.264, H.265, VP9, HDR10+ |
| Audio codecs | Qualcomm Aqstic audio support | Qualcomm Aqstic audio support |
Connectivity and network
Both processors support 5G connectivity, Bluetooth 5.1, and multiple satellite navigation systems. Snapdragon 865 uses the Snapdragon X55 modem with higher theoretical download and upload speeds, while Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 integrates the Snapdragon X61 modem for efficient connectivity in budget 5G smartphones.
| Specification | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 865 |
|---|
| Cellular modem | Snapdragon X61 5G | Snapdragon X55 5G |
| Network support | 5G SA/NSA, 4G LTE | 5G SA/NSA, 4G LTE |
| Maximum download speed | 2.5Gbps | 7.5Gbps |
| Maximum upload speed | 900Mbps | 3Gbps |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| GNSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC, QZSS |