The successor to the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 from September of last year, Qualcomm today revealed the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (SM4450). This is the first chip in the series to enable the enhanced 3GPP Release 16 version of 5G thanks to the Snapdragon X61 modem. Even so, this is the first 4nm Snapdragon 4 series chip.
The foundry is unnamed by Qualcomm, but the newer node should offer increased overall effectiveness. For comparison, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chip was manufactured by TSMC at a 6nm process, while the 480 was done at an 8nm process (Samsung).
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
The new CPU includes six efficiency cores and two performance cores running at 2.2GHz (2.0GHz). As a result, the SD 4 Gen 1 performs 10% better as a result. The Adreno GPU’s support for displays up to FHD+ at 120 frames per second is the same; there are no details available.
Additionally, the new chip uses LPDDR5x, a speedier form of RAM (up to 3,200MHz). Moreover, manufacturers can outfit phones with UFS 3.1 for faster storage (2-lane). Look at the table below for more information.
Because the camera hardware is reduced to a dual-ISP, it now has a new capability called Multi-Camera Temporal Filtering (MCTF), which improves video noise reduction. While the maximum video resolution remains 1080p @ 60 frames per second (and 720p at 120 frames per second for slow motion), Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) is now available. The processor can support cameras with a resolution of up to 32MP for zero shutter lag (or 16+16MP for twin cameras) or up to 108MP. Also, autofocus ought to be quicker.
| Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 |
| Process | 6nm (TSMC) | 4nm |
| CPU | 2x 2.0GHz + 6x 1.8GHz | 2x 2.2GHz + 6x 2.0GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | ? |
| RAM | LPDDR4x 2,133MHz | LPDDR5x 3,200MHz |
| Storage | UFS 2.2 | UFS 3.1 (2-lane) |
| Display | Up to FHD+ @ 120fps | Up to FHD+ @ 120fps |
| ISP | Triple | Dual (12-bit) |
| Camera | up to 108MP | up to 108MP, up to 32MP Zero Shutter Lag |
| Video | up to 1080p @ 60fps | up to 1080p @ 60fps, EIS |
| Modem | X51 (2.5Gpbs down, 800Mbps up) | X61 (Rel. 16, 2.5Gpbs down, 900Mbps up)) |
| Local | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX) | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX) |
| USB | 3.2 Gen 1 | 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Charging | Quick Charge 4+ | Quick Charge 4+ |
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor, like its predecessor, has Quick Charge 4+, which, according to Qualcomm, can charge a battery to 50% capacity in 15 minutes. Speeds for the USB-C interface are listed as USB 3.2 Gen 1. (i.e., up to 5Gbps).
The addition of power-saving features, expanded coverage, and improved location accuracy are all part of 3GPP Version 16. The 4×4 MIMO capability of the X61 modem allows for up to 100MHz of bandwidth and speeds of up to 2.5Gbps down and 900Mbps up.
The processor only supports Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX for audio and Wi-Fi 5 (AC) at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, therefore there was no improvement in local connectivity.
The first smartphones using the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 will be released in the second half of this year (we’re almost there); Xiaomi, Redmi, and Vivo will be the manufacturers.
