Qualcomm has unveiled its latest mid-range mobile processor, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, designed to deliver a range of premium features to budget-friendly smartphones. This new chipset introduces a number of industry firsts for the Snapdragon 6 series, which encompass on-device generative AI, advanced camera technology, and improved gaming functionalities.

Smartphone gaming is immensely popular in India, with Qualcomm reporting that over 60% of users engage in gaming activities. The country leads the world in game downloads, and the time spent gaming has seen a remarkable 30% increase, reaching an average of 13 hours per week in the fiscal year 2024. Interestingly, a significant 43% of gamers utilize devices priced between $200 and $400, making the Snapdragon 6 series particularly relevant for this demographic.

The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset boasts considerable performance enhancements, achieving an impressive 11% boost in CPU capabilities thanks to its updated Kryo processors, and an astounding 29% increase in GPU performance through the upgraded Adreno graphics unit. Notably, Qualcomm has been able to attain these improvements while simultaneously reducing power consumption by 12%, ensuring better battery longevity for users.

This cutting-edge processor is built using a 4nm process technology, incorporating several high-end features that were once exclusive to more expensive tiers of mobile processors. One such feature is the Snapdragon Game Super Resolution, which enables immersive 4K gaming through sophisticated upscaling techniques. Additionally, the Adreno Frame Motion Engine allows for the doubling of frame rates without significant power drain, while the Adreno HDR Fast Blend technology enhances rendering speeds for complex scenes by twice the rate of prior generations.

Artificial intelligence is another pivotal aspect of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 platform. It provides on-device AI processing capabilities, including support for large language models (LLMs) such as Meta’s Llama 3.2, Tech Mahindra’s Indus project, and INT4 precision, marking another first for the Snapdragon 6 series. This empowers users with functionalities like multi-language text summarization, question and answer capabilities, and text rewriting—all achievable even without internet connectivity.

The imaging prowess of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is enabled by the Qualcomm Spectra 12-bit triple Image Signal Processor (ISP). It supports stunning 200-megapixel single captures, as well as advanced low-light photography functionalities through the Snapdragon Low-Light Vision technology. With the Qualcomm Spectra Triple ISP, users can capture images and record videos simultaneously, greatly benefiting content creators looking for efficiency and quality.

Furthermore, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is compatible with Snapdragon Sound Technology featuring Qualcomm aptX Lossless audio streaming. It ensures rapid 5G connectivity and supports Wi-Fi 6E, along with Snapdragon Seamless, which allows effortless connection and content sharing among devices.

Prominent smartphone brands such as realme, OPPO, and Honor are set to roll out devices integrating this new technology within the upcoming months.

Deepu John, Senior Director of Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. stated, “This platform ushers in a new level of performance and energy efficiency, empowering users to enjoy ultra-fast 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity while enhancing their daily activities—be it gaming, content creation, or professional tasks.”