Qualcomm has announced the launch of its latest mid-range mobile processor, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, which brings a host of high-end features to more affordable smartphones. The new platform introduces several firsts for the series, including on-device generative AI capabilities, improved camera technology and enhanced gaming features.
Qualcomm says that over 60% of smartphone users in India play games, with the country leading in-game downloads globally. The average weekly time spent on gaming has surged by 30%, reaching 13 hours in the financial year 2024. Interestingly, 43% of gamers use devices in the $200 to $400 price range, which makes a sweet spot for the Snapdragon 6 series.
The chipset boasts impressive performance gains across the board, with an 11% improvement in CPU performance through its updated Kryo processors, and a substantial 29% boost in GPU performance via the enhanced Adreno graphics unit. Perhaps most notably, Qualcomm has managed to achieve these improvements while reducing power consumption by 12%, promising better battery life for users.
Built on a 4nm process technology, the platform introduces several premium features previously reserved for higher-tier processors. Among these is the Snapdragon Game Super Resolution, which enables 4K gaming through intelligent upscaling, while the Adreno Frame Motion Engine doubles frame rates without significant battery drain. The platform also includes Adreno HDR Fast Blend, which renders complex scenes twice as fast as previous generations.
AI is another key area of focus for the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4. The platform introduces on-device AI processing, including support for large language models (LLMs) like Meta’s Llama 3.2, Tech Mahindra’s Indus project and INT4 precision which is another first for the Snapdragon 6 series. This enables features such as multilingual text summarization, Q&A, and text rewriting, even without cloud connectivity.
The camera capabilities of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 are powered by a Qualcomm Spectra 12-bit triple ISP. It supports up to 200-megapixel single shots and includes advanced low-light photography capabilities through Snapdragon Low-Light Vision technology. The Qualcomm Spectra Triple ISP allows users to simultaneously capture photos and record videos, a feature that will come in handy for content creators.
The platform also supports Snapdragon Sound Technology with Qualcomm aptX Lossless audio streaming, as well as fast 5G and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Additionally, it supports Snapdragon Seamless for effortless connection and content sharing between devices.
Major smartphone manufacturers including realme, OPPO, and Honor are expected to launch devices featuring the new platform in the coming months.
Deepu John, Senior Director of Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. said, “This platform brings a new level of performance and power efficiency for users to enjoy virtually anywhere with ultra-fast 5G and Wi-Fi, enhancing their everyday activities whether playing, creating, or working.”
