In response to Apple’s recent unveiling of the high-performance M4 chip, Qualcomm has revised its plans for the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor. Originally set to target a 4.0GHz frequency, the Snapdragon now aims for 4.26 GHz to better compete with Apple’s latest A18 and A18 Pro chips, found in newer iPhones. These Apple chips, which are essentially scaled-down versions of their M-series counterparts, have set a new benchmark in clock speed.
Qualcomm’s redesign of the flagship Android processor is expected to be completed by June, with an official launch scheduled for October. This timeline allows the company sufficient time to refine the chip’s design and distribute it to smartphone manufacturers.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is anticipated to deliver a significant boost in single-core performance at the revised frequency of 4.26GHz. It also features a ‘2 + 6’ CPU cluster configuration, aimed at enhancing multi-core performance.
Both the Apple M4 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are based on TSMC’s advanced 3nm fabrication process, setting the stage for close competition in benchmark performances. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is derived from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, intended for laptops and lacking ARMv9 instruction set support, it compensates with its higher clock speed. Unlike the M4, the Snapdragon does not include Scalable Matrix Extension (SME), which aids in handling more complex computing tasks and achieving higher benchmark scores. This omission makes the increased clock speed an essential feature for Qualcomm’s next-gen chip.
