The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 Mobile Platform has been officially unveiled, promising enhanced performance and a superior audio experience for mid-range smartphones. As the direct successor to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, this new platform aims to bring flagship-level features to a wider audience.

Performance Improvements

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is built on a 4nm process. It features an updated Kryo CPU with a 1+4+3 configuration. This includes a prime core clocked at 2.8GHz, four performance cores at 2.4GHz, and three efficiency cores at 1.8GHz. Qualcomm claims this new architecture delivers a 27% increase in CPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3.

The Adreno GPU also gets a boost, with Qualcomm claiming a 30% increase in graphics rendering speed. The GPU supports HDR10, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, and HLG codecs. Select Snapdragon Elite Gaming features, including the Adaptive Performance Engine 4.0, are included to optimize gaming performance and ensure smooth gameplay. This engine intelligently adjusts CPU and GPU settings to reduce stutter without draining the battery.

AI performance sees a significant improvement, with a claimed 65% increase compared to its predecessor. The updated Hexagon NPU can run Stable Diffusion 1.5 locally, enabling real-time image generation. The Qualcomm AI Engine also supports on-device generative AI assistants for faster, more secure interactions without an internet connection.

Superior Wi-Fi Audio Experience

One of the key highlights of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is its enhanced audio capabilities. It is the first Snapdragon chip outside the flagship 8-series to support Qualcomm's Expanded Personal Area Network (XPAN) technology. XPAN allows audio transmission over Wi-Fi networks, which Qualcomm says enables higher-quality wireless audio and extended range compared to Bluetooth audio. The chip also supports aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive audio codecs. Aqstic Hi-Fi DAC is included for authentic sound directly from the device's speakers. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 also brings Bluetooth 6.0 support to the Snapdragon 7 series for the first time, along with Wi-Fi 7.

Other Features

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 supports LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. It features a triple 12-bit Spectra ISP that supports up to 200MP still images and 10-bit photos. Video recording is capped at 4K 30FPS. The platform also includes a Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF System, delivering peak download speeds of up to 4.2 Gbps.

AI is also pushed into the camera, with AI-powered autofocus, auto white balance, and auto exposure tasks. It is the first time these features are built directly into the hardware. The chip also has hardware-enabled electronic image stabilization.

Availability

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is expected to be adopted by several leading OEMs, including HONOR, vivo, and realme. The first devices powered by this new platform are expected to be announced in the coming months.