Snapdragon 8 Gen 4: Going Head-to-Head Against Apple A18 with 4.26GHz Speed, Power Efficiency Concerns Addressed

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset is gaining traction with rumors of a clock speed boost to 4.26GHz, setting the stage for intense competition with Apple’s A18 series. This development stems from Qualcomm’s acquisition of Nuvia, signaling a shift towards custom CPU cores in their chips.

Qualcomm's Nuvia is making a comeback, and there might be a redesign finalized in June, with a target frequency of 4.26GHz, aiming at the Apple A18 Chip.#qualcomm

— jasonwill (@jasonwill101) May 11, 2024

Key Points:

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset rumored to hit 4.26GHz, aiming to compete with Apple A18/Pro.

Features custom CPU cores and a 2+6 CPU cluster configuration for improved performance and efficiency.

Expected to be fabricated on TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process node.

Rumored to lack ARMv9 support and Scalable Matrix Extension (SME) compared to Apple’s offerings.

Qualcomm is likely to unveil the chipset officially at the Snapdragon Summit, with the Xiaomi 15 series speculated as the first to feature it.

Features:

Custom CPU cores for enhanced performance.

2+6 CPU cluster arrangement for balanced power consumption.

Advanced fabrication on TSMC’s 3nm process node.

Potential improvements in single-core performance.

Rumored clock speed boost to 4.26GHz.

Compatibility with Android flagship devices, starting with the Xiaomi 15 series.

Specifications:

Custom CPU cores with a targeted frequency of 4.26GHz.

2+6 CPU cluster configuration for optimized power usage.

Utilizes TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process node.

Expected to support advanced connectivity features.

Compatibility with upcoming Android flagship smartphones.

Availability:

Qualcomm is expected to unveil Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 officially at the Snapdragon Summit, likely in October.

Xiaomi 15 series is speculated to be among the first devices to feature the new chipset.

Availability in other flagship Android smartphones anticipated post-launch.

Conclusion:

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset’s rumored enhancements, including custom CPU cores and a clock speed boost, showcase Qualcomm’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of mobile performance. While lacking some features found in Apple’s A18 series, the chipset promises to deliver impressive single-core performance and efficiency improvements. Its availability in upcoming Android flagship devices, starting with the Xiaomi 15 series, marks an exciting development in mobile chipset technology.