Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4: A Significant Leap for Mid-Range Performance
Qualcomm unveiled its latest mobile platform, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, in May 2025, promising substantial performance improvements over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. Initial benchmark tests indicate a significant evolution in architecture for mid-range devices, with multi-core performance gains reaching up to 20% and a 23% increase in AnTuTu scores.
Snapdragon 7 Gen 4: Quick Facts
- The latest generation in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 series of chipsets.
- Designed to deliver high performance in mid-range smartphones.
- Promises significant performance improvements over previous generations.
- Focuses on enhancing CPU, graphics, and AI processing efficiency.
- Aims to support smoother gaming and multitasking experiences.
Architectural Overhaul and Enhanced CPU Performance
Both the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 and the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 are manufactured using TSMC’s 4nm process. However, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 employs a more modern and aggressive core configuration with a 1+4+3 scheme. This redesign includes the latest Cortex-A720 cores, delivering a higher raw performance boost compared to the Cortex-A715 cores used in the previous generation.
Superior GPU, Memory, and Connectivity
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4’s graphics processing now relies on the Adreno 722 GPU, promising smoother and more stable rendering, particularly for gaming. The chipset also supports LPDDR5x RAM with frequencies up to 4.2GHz. Storage capabilities have also been significantly upgraded to the UFS 4.0 standard, accelerating application loading times and data transfer speeds compared to the UFS 3.1 standard found in the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3.
- GPU: Adreno 722
- RAM: LPDDR5x up to 4.2GHz
- Storage: UFS 4.0 (faster than UFS 3.1)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 (peak download speeds of 5.8Gbps), Bluetooth 6.0
- AI Features: Updated Hexagon NPU, Triple AI-ISP (4K video recording at 60fps with clearer image processing)
In terms of connectivity, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 introduces a major leap with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0, enabling peak download speeds of up to 5.8Gbps. Qualcomm has also updated the Hexagon NPU to handle more complex artificial intelligence (AI) tasks, alongside a Triple AI-ISP feature that allows for 4K video recording at 60fps with enhanced image processing.
Dominating Benchmark Results
Testing data reveals the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4’s clear advantage across the board. According to Geekbench 6 tests, the chipset achieved a single-core score of 1,252 and a multi-core score of 3,620. This represents a 20% improvement in multi-core performance compared to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, which scored 3,018 points. This difference will be particularly noticeable when users are running multiple applications simultaneously or performing video editing on their phones.
In AnTuTu v10 testing, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 scored a total of 1,010,864. This result is approximately 23% higher than the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s score of 819,000. A 26% GPU performance increase is a key highlight for mobile gamers, promising more stable frame rates in demanding games like Genshin Impact or Mobile Legends with high graphics settings.
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 also introduces Qualcomm’s XPAN audio technology to the mid-range segment, previously exclusive to the flagship Snapdragon 8 series. XPAN transmits audio over Wi-Fi networks, offering higher-quality wireless audio and extended range compared to Bluetooth. While currently limited to the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the technology’s inclusion signals a broader push for premium audio experiences in mid-range devices. The chipset also supports Bluetooth 6.0, a first for the Snapdragon 7 series.
Beyond performance, Qualcomm emphasizes the platform’s AI capabilities. The updated Qualcomm AI Engine delivers a 65% improvement in AI performance compared to the previous generation, enhancing on-device experiences and enabling more sophisticated AI-powered features. This includes improved image processing, voice recognition, and potentially, more advanced AI-driven applications.
Several leading smartphone manufacturers have already adopted the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, including HONOR, vivo, and Realme, indicating strong market traction for the new platform. This widespread adoption suggests that consumers can expect to see a new wave of mid-range smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 in the near future, offering a compelling combination of performance, connectivity, and AI capabilities.
