The upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset is generating buzz in the tech world, with rumors pointing to significant performance improvements and potential changes in its configuration.
Impressive GPU Performance
According to recent leaks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4's Adreno 830 GPU is being tested at an impressive 1,250MHz clock speed. This represents a substantial increase over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which runs at 903MHz for the standard variant and 1,000MHz for the Leading version.
An early AnTuTu benchmark result showcased a GPU score of 1,330,057 points, far surpassing the current top Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 score of 896,416 points. However, it's important to note that these are experimental runs, and final clock speeds may differ in the production version.
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| The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip is at the forefront of advanced GPU performance, showcasing impressive capabilities in mobile technology |
Breaking the 4GHz CPU Barrier
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is also set to push CPU performance boundaries. Geekbench results indicate that its Oryon cores can reach speeds of up to 4.09GHz for the two fastest cores, with the remaining six cores running at 2.78GHz. This would make it the first smartphone chip to break the 4GHz barrier, surpassing even Apple's A17 Pro (3.78GHz) found in the iPhone 15 Pro.
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| The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor is set to break the 4GHz barrier, redefining CPU performance in smartphones |
Potential 5G Modem Separation
In an interesting twist, rumors suggest that Qualcomm may offer two variants of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4:
- SM8750 - Standard version with integrated 5G modem
- SM8750P - High-performance version without integrated 5G modem
The SM8750P variant is reportedly designed for Wi-Fi-only devices, particularly tablets. This strategy harkens back to Qualcomm's approach with the Snapdragon 855, where manufacturers had to purchase a separate 5G modem for premium devices.
Implications for Manufacturers and Consumers
This potential separation of the 5G modem in the high-performance variant could have several implications:
- Increased costs for manufacturers, potentially leading to higher device prices
- More flexibility for device makers in terms of connectivity options
- Possible market share opportunities for competitors like MediaTek
Some industry observers speculate that this move could push some manufacturers to explore alternative chipset options or accelerate in-house development efforts, as seen with Samsung's Exynos and Apple's ongoing 5G modem project.
As we await official confirmation from Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 continues to generate excitement with its potential for groundbreaking performance in mobile devices.
Update: Thursday August 22 10:25
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is expected to introduce significant advancements in manufacturing and architecture. Built on a 3nm process, it will feature Qualcomm's custom-designed Oryon CPU cores, moving away from Arm-licensed designs. The chipset will include a new Low-Power AI (LPAI) subsystem with a dedicated DSP and AI accelerator, enhancing AI processing capabilities. Connectivity improvements include support for mmWave and Sub-6 5G bands, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and ultra-wideband (UWB) compatibility. These enhancements could enable more desktop-class experiences on mobile devices, particularly in gaming, AI processing, and computational photography. The first Snapdragon 8 Gen 4-powered devices are expected to hit the market in late 2024, with Xiaomi rumored to be among the early adopters.