In 2021, Qualcomm revamped its naming scheme for Snapdragon processors, transitioning from the three-number system to the “Gen” system. This change, soon followed by MediaTek rebranding its Dimensity chipsets, reflects a broader trend in the industry towards complex and sometimes confusing nomenclature. We have also covered Intel’s and AMD’s new naming schemes which are equally confusing.
However, let’s set that aside for now and focus on understanding what Qualcomm Snapdragon processor names and numbers mean and how to find the best one for your needs.
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Qualcomm Snapdragon Chipset Naming Scheme
Back in the day, Qualcomm used to follow a three-number nomenclature for its mobile chipsets. Recall the Snapdragon 845, Snapdragon 801, Snapdragon 435, and so on. It still uses that but for a very limited set of chipsets. Newer smartphone processors from Qualcomm have now moved onto a new “Gen” naming scheme.
This change happened in 2021 with the jump from Snapdragon 888 to Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and almost all new Qualcomm chips now have this “Gen” in their name. These chips are organized into different tiers, with higher numbers generally denoting better-performing chipsets:
In this new scheme, the number following “Snapdragon” indicates the processor’s generation, while the number after “Gen” signifies its version or iteration within that tier.
For instance, in Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, the “8” denotes the flagship tier, and “Gen 4” signifies it’s the fourth-generation chip in that tier.
Within the Gen lineup, chipsets are further categorized as Standard, Toned-down (“s”), Enhanced (“+”), and AE (Accelerated Engine). Examples include the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (Standard), Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (Toned-down), Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (Enhanced), and Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 AE (Accelerated Engine), respectively.
Here’s what each of these variations mean:
1. Snapdragon Standard Variant:
This represents the standard model within a particular generation and series. They are right off the shelf and haven’t been modified to enhance or tone down the processor’s performance.
Examples: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Snapdragon 7 Gen 2, Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, and so on.
2. Snapdragon “s” Variant:
The Snapdragon “s” variant denotes a slightly toned-down version of the standard model. They typically feature minor reductions in CPU clock speeds or other specifications to achieve a lower price point. Examples include the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, 7s Gen 2, and 4s Gen 2.
Example: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 came with 2x Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and 6x Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. Its toned-down variant, the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2, comes with 2x Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and 6x Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz – a reduction of 200 MHz per core.
3. Snapdragon “+” Variant:
The Snapdragon Plus (+) variant offers a more substantial upgrade over the base model, often featuring enhancements in CPU/GPU performance, AI capabilities, and clock speeds. These are usually seen in flagship processors.
Example: Currently, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is the only processor with the Plus nomenclature. Its prime Cortex-X2 core is clocked at 3.2 GHz, compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s 3.0 GHz. Plus, it’s built on TSMC’s 4nm process, doesn’t throttle, and delivers better performance and efficiency than the latter.
4. Snapdragon AE (Accelerated Edition):
In addition to its s and Plus variants, Qualcomm also offers an Accelerated Edition (AE) for select processors aimed to boost performance in the mid-range tier. These chipsets feature higher clock speeds on their CPU and GPU cores compared to their non-AE counterparts, delivering an extra boost in performance for demanding tasks like gaming or intensive applications.
Examples: Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 AE on Moto Edge 50, Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE on Redmi 13, etc. Not many smartphones offer these chipsets yet.
Understanding the Snapdragon “Gen” System and Choosing the Right Chipset
Now that you understand Qualcomm’s smartphone processor naming conventions, let’s explore the specific processors available in each generation. As mentioned earlier, a higher “Gen” number generally indicates a better processor, although there can be exceptions, which we’ll discuss later.
1. Snapdragon 8 Gen Series: Flagship Processors
The Snapdragon 8 series, which transitioned from the Snapdragon 800 series, is Qualcomm’s flagship line of mobile chipsets. These processors deliver top-of-the-line CPU and graphics performance, image processing, AI capabilities, and more. You can play the most demanding games and apps available for Android on these SoCs.
Many mainstream smartphone brands use the Snapdragon 8 Gen processor in their top-of-the-line devices like Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, OnePlus 12, and Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is currently the latest available processor, with the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 set to rival the A18 Pro and Dimensity 9400.
| Processor | CPU Configuration | GPU | Process | AnTuTu Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (expected) | Nuvia CPU 2x Prime cores (4.32GHz) 6x Performance cores (3.53GHz) | Adreno 830 | TSMC 3nm | 3.1 million (leaked) |
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 1x Cortex-X4 (3.3GHz) 5x Cortex-A720 (3.2GHz) 2x Cortex-A520 (2.3GHz) | Adreno 750 | TSMC 4nm | 2.3 million |
| Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | 1x Cortex-X4 (3.0GHz) 4x Cortex-A720 (2.8GHz) 3x Cortex-A520 (2.0GHz) | Adreno 735 | TSMC 4nm | 1.5 million |
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 1x Cortex-X3 (3.2GHz) 2x Cortex-A715 (2.8GHz) 2x Cortex-A710 (2.8GHz) 3x Cortex-A510 (2.0GHz) | Adreno 740 | TSMC 4nm | 1.44 million |
| Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | 1x Cortex-X2 (3.2 GHz) 3x Cortex-A710 (2.75 GHz) 4x Cortex-A510 (2.0GHz) | Adreno 730 | TSMC 4nm | 1.05 million |
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | 1x Cortex-X2 (3.0GHz) 3x Cortex-A710 (2.5GHz) 4x Cortex-A510 (1.8GHz) | Adreno 730 | TSMC 4nm | 0.99 million |
2. Snapdragon 7 Gen Series: Premium or Upper Mid-Range
The Snapdragon 7 Gen series, which transitioned from the 700 series of processors, is designed for premium or flagship mid-range phones and shares many features with the Snapdragon 8 Gen series chipsets.
In fact, some 7 Gen processors even outperform certain 8 series processors. For example, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, featured in the Poco X5 Pro, outperformed the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Similarly, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, found in the Realme GT Neo 6, performs better than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and even comes close to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
When given a choice, prioritize the “+” variants of the Snapdragon 7 Gen processors. They offer most of the features from the preceding 8 Gen series on a phone that can cost less than half the price in some cases.
| Processor | CPU Configuration | GPU | Process | AnTuTu Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 | 1x Cortex-X4 (2.8 GHz) 4x Cortex-A720 (2.6 GHz) 3x Cortex-A520 (1.9 GHz) | Adreno 732 | TSMC 4nm | 1.47 million |
| Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 | 1x Cortex-A715 (2.63 GHz) 3x Cortex-A715 (2.4 GHz) 4x Cortex-A510 (1.8 GHz) | Adreno 720 | TSMC 4nm | 0.85 million |
| Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | 1x Cortex-A720 (2.5 GHz) 3x Cortex-A720 (2.4 GHz) 4x Cortex-A520 (1.8 GHz) | Adreno GPU | TSMC 4nm | 0.80 million |
| Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 | 1x Cortex-X2 (2.91 GHz) 3x Cortex-A710 (2.5 GHz) 4x Cortex-A510 (1.8 GHz) | Adreno 725 | TSMC 4nm | 1 million |
| Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | 4x Cortex-A78(2.4 GHz) 4x Cortex-A55 (1.95 GHz) | Adreno 710 | TSMC 4nm | 0.58 million |
| Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 AE | 1x Cortex-A710 (2.5 GHz) 3x Cortex-A710 (2.36 GHz) 4x Cortex-A510 (1.8 GHz) | Adreno 644 | TSMC 4nm | 0.64 million |
| Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | 1x Cortex-A710 (2.4 GHz) 3x Cortex-A710 (2.36 GHz) 4x Cortex-A510 (1.8 GHz) | Adreno 644 | TSMC 4nm | 0.55 million |
3. Snapdragon 6 Gen Series: Mid-Range Chipsets
The Snapdragon 6 Gen series is Qualcomm’s mid-range lineup for budget smartphones. It transitioned from the earlier 600 series, and currently, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and 6 Gen 3 are the only processors in this lineup.
Note that these processors aren’t designed for hardcore use and prioritize power efficiency. While casual gaming is certainly possible, don’t expect miracles in heavier titles. Games like Call of Duty Mobile will be playable, though.
You’ll find the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in phones like Realme 12 Pro, Honor 9XB, iQOO Z9x, Vivo T3x, and more.
| Processor | CPU Configuration | GPU | Process | AnTuTu Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | 4x Cortex-A78 (2.4 GHz) 4x Cortex-A55 (1.8 GHz) | Adreno | 4nm | Awaited |
| Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 | 2x Cortex-A78 (2.3 GHz) 6x Cortex-A55 (2 GHz) | Adreno 619 | 6nm | 0.47 million |
| Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | 4 x Cortex-A78 (2.2GHz) 4 x Cortex-A55 (1.8GHz) | Adreno 710 | 4nm | 0.57 million |
4. Snapdragon 4 Gen Series: Entry-Level Chipsets
Snapdragon 4 Gen series, transitioned from the earlier known Snapdragon 400 series of processors. They mainly cater to entry-level and affordable lineups of smartphones like Redmi Note 12 or iQOO Z6 Lite and provide balanced everyday performance and battery life.
They’re supposed to get your everyday tasks through- calling, messaging, social media, and web browsing. Gaming won’t feel nice here for obvious reasons.
| Processor | CPU Configuration | GPU | Process | AnTuTu Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE | 2× Cortex-A78 (2.3 GHz) 6x Cortex-A55 (2.0 GHz) | Adreno 613 | TSMC 4nm | 0.44 million |
| Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | 2x Cortex-A78 (2.2 GHz) 6x Cortex-A55 (2.0GHz) | Adreno 613 | TSMC 4nm | 0.43 million |
| Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 | 2x Cortex-A78 (2.0 GHz) 6x Cortex-A55 (1.8 GHz) | Adreno 613 (likely) | TSMC 4nm | 0.42 million |
| Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | 2x Cortex-A78 (2.0GHz) 6x Cortex-A55 (1.8GHz) | Adreno 619 | TSMC 6nm | 0.39 million |
Higher Generation Doesn’t Always Translate to Better Performance
Generally, a higher “Gen” number signifies a more powerful Snapdragon processor but there are some exceptions. For instance, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 often outperforms the newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in certain aspects. In another example, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 in the Realme GT 6T surpasses the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.
Essentially, a “Plus” variant of a lower tier can sometimes beat the “s” version of a higher one. Based on current market positioning, you can generally rank them in the following order:
- Current Gen 8
- Previous Gen 8
- Current Gen 8s
- Current Gen 7+
Qualcomm Snapdragon Naming Scheme Made Easier
Unlike MediaTek, which has adopted a complex nomenclature and even rebranded and re-used several processors, Qualcomm has a much simpler naming scheme.
Variant
A higher generation number generally indicates a better processor, with further distinctions made by “+” and “AE” variants being the most powerful, followed by the standard version, while the “s” version is typically the least powerful.
Sometimes, the “+” variant can perform on par or even outperform the “s” version of a higher tier. When evaluating or comparing processors, consider the CPU structure, the nanometer (nm) process it’s manufactured on (smaller is better), the types of cores used and their clock speeds, as well as the GPU and its clock speed.
Benchmark
Look at AnTuTu, Geekbench, 3D Mark, and CPU throttling results online to get an idea of the chipset’s raw performance. The processor also directly influences the phone’s features including supported display, cameras, and AI capabilities, but that’s ultimately up to the manufacturer to decide.
RAM and Storage
Additionally, a processor’s capabilities depend on the RAM and also the storage size and type it’s paired with. A super-fast processor with slower RAM and storage can bottleneck its performance and benchmarks, so keep that in mind.
How to Choose Based on Usecase
If you’re into gaming, heavy app usage, or video editing, I’d recommend getting a current or last-generation 8-Gen processor. These chips can handle virtually anything you throw at them. If budget is a concern, you can consider a 7+ Gen chipset. The 6 Gen and 4 Gen processors are suitable for everyday tasks but may not be ideal for demanding applications or heavy multitasking. They may also become outdated faster as apps and games continue to evolve.
I hope this guide gave you a simplified understanding of Qualcomm Snapdragon’s naming scheme for mobile phones.
