Qualcomm just dropped Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: A solid semi-flagship upgrade

Alright, so Qualcomm just dropped their Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, and it's already shaping up to be one of the best chips for semi-flagship phones this year. It’s not as good as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but it’s definitely a solid upgrade over the 8 Gen 2, especially when it comes to gaming and AI capabilities. If you're someone who doesn't want to shell out flagship-level prices but still wants premium performance, this is looking like a solid choice.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Overview

Performance

Let’s talk about performance first. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is packing some serious heat, especially when it comes to CPU power. You get the Kryo Prime core, which can hit up to 3.2 GHz, plus multiple Kryo Performance cores running at various speeds.

In real-world terms, that means you’re getting a 31% speed boost over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. So whether you're opening apps, multitasking, or just using your phone day-to-day, things should feel snappy and smooth. It's definitely not the top of the line like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but it's far better than the 8 Gen 2, and most people won’t notice a huge difference unless you're really pushing your phone to the max.

Now, the GPU is another big upgrade. The Adreno 825 is 49% faster than the previous generation, and it’s going to make a massive difference in gaming. You’ll be able to game at 120fps in titles like PUBG or Call of Duty, and even if you're playing something more demanding like Genshin Impact, you’ll probably still hit around 55-60fps with settings dialed down.

This chip handles ray tracing and HDR gaming, too, which is a pretty big deal for a semi-flagship processor. Sure, it won’t hit the same numbers as the 8 Gen 3, but it's definitely better than the 8 Gen 2, so it’s a good option if you want smooth performance at a lower price point.

Camera Capabilities

On the camera front, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 supports up to a 320MP camera. Now, let’s be real, most phones aren’t going to push anywhere near that resolution. But if you're someone who wants a phone that can handle massive image files, this is a nice future-proofing move.

You can also capture 4K HDR video at 60fps, which is pretty solid for those of us who like to shoot on our phones. Plus, you get support for 8K HDR video playback, so content on your phone is going to look awesome.

The camera’s got a Hexagon NPU, which helps with AI-powered enhancements, like scene recognition and stabilization. The quality of photos should be pretty solid, even if the sensor isn’t the best out there. Still, for the price, you're getting a camera system that can hold its own against more expensive options.

Energy Efficiency

When it comes to energy efficiency, the 8s Gen 4 is a 39% improvement over its predecessor, which means better battery life for your phone.

Qualcomm has managed to make this chip more power-efficient, so you should be able to get through a full day of use without constantly looking for a charger. And when you do need to charge, you’ve got Quick Charge 5 to get you back up to speed in no time.

With phones powered by this chip, you should be able to charge up super fast, so you’re not left waiting for hours.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 has got it all.

• Wi-Fi 7 is a big one here, with speeds up to 5.8 Gbps

• Bluetooth 6.0 means better audio quality when you’re using wireless earbuds or speakers.

• The chip supports 5G, of course, so you're future-proof when it comes to connectivity.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: Quick Specs

• CPU: Kryo Prime core (3.2 GHz) + multiple Kryo Performance cores
• Performance Boost: 31% faster than Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• GPU: Adreno 825, 49% faster than previous generation
• Gaming: Up to 120fps (PUBG, Call of Duty), ray tracing & HDR support
• Camera: Up to 320MP, 4K HDR video at 60fps, 8K HDR playback
• AI: Hexagon NPU for scene recognition & image enhancements
• Battery Efficiency: 39% better than predecessor
• Fast Charging: Quick Charge 5 support

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 (5.8 Gbps), Bluetooth 6.0, 5G support

Final Thoughts: A Great Semi-Flagship Option

So, is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 a game-changer? Not exactly. It's not going to completely blow you away the way the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 might.