Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 Improves Efficiency and Performance in the Mid-Range Market

With the increasing threat of not only MediaTek’s Dimensity line but also Samsung LSI’s competitive mid-range Exynos and the slowly approaching UniSOC processors, Qualcomm practically stood still with its Snapdragon 778G SoC, announced in May 2021.

		Qualcomm		MediaTek	Samsung
Processor	Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2	Snapdragon 7 Gen 1	Snapdragon 778G	Dimensity 8200	Exynos 1380
CPU	1x Cortex-X2 @ 2.91 GHz 3x Cortex A710 @ 2.49 GHz 4x Cortex-A510 @ 1.8 GHz	1x Cortex-A710 @ 2.4 GHz 3x Cortex-A710 @ 2.36 GHz 4x Cortex-A510 @ 1.8 GHz	1x Cortex-A78 @ 2.4 GHz 3x Cortex-A78 @ 2.2 GHz  4x Cortex-A55 @ 1.9 GHz	1x Cortex-A78 @ 3.1 GHz 3x Cortex-A78 @ 3.0 GHz 4x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0 GHz	4x Cortex-A78 @ 2.4 GHz 4x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0 GHz
GPU	"Adreno"	"Adreno"	Adreno 642L	6x ARM Mali-G610	5x ARM Mali-G68
ISP	"Spectra" Triple 18-bit ISP Up to 200 megapixels	"Spectra" Triple 14-bit ISP Up to 200 megapixels	Spectra 570L Triple 14-bit ISP Up to 200 megapixels	Imagiq 785 Triple 14-bit ISP Up to 320 megapixels	Triple ISP Up to 200 megapixels
RAM	LPDDR5-6400				LPDDR5
Cellular	Snapdragon X62 Up to 4.4 Gbps		Snapdragon X53 Up to 3.7 Gbps	Helio M70 Up to 4.7 Gbps	Exynos Up to 3.79 Gbps
Connectivity	FastConnect 6900 Wi-Fi 6E up to 3.6 Gbps Bluetooth 5.3	FastConnect 6700 Wi-Fi 6E up to 2.9 Gbps Bluetooth 5.2		Wi-Fi 6E  Bluetooth 5.3	Wi-Fi 6E  Bluetooth 5.2
Manufacturing	TSMC N4 ("4 nm")	Samsung 4LPE ("4 nm")	TSMC N6 ("6 nm")	TSMC N4 ("4 nm")	Samsung 5LPE ("5 nm")

Faster, less power hungry

Anyway, Qualcomm is promising a big leap in performance and power efficiency, and took the opportunity to skip a couple of mid-generations going from the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 straight to the 7+ Gen 2.

Like previous generations and even flagship processors, Qualcomm is using a 1+3+4 layout, with one prime CPU clocked at up to 2.91 GHz, an impressive 20% jump in processing frequency. In total, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 promises up to 50% improvement in processing performance, partially also to using TSMC’s N4 manufacturing instead of the Samsung Foundry one previously used.

As we saw previously with the Snapdragons 780G > 778G, and 8 Gen 1 > 8+ Gen 1, refreshes, switching fabs importantly resulted in improved energy efficiency. In that field, Qualcomm cites up to 13% power savings, despite the jump in CPU clocks.

More frames per second

Gamers shopping for mid-range phones will be pleased to know that the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 promises faster framerates—both 100% against its predecessor and 25% over an unnamed rival.

Qualcomm also briefly mentioned its “Adreno Frame Motion Engine”, which apparently uses AI tech to interpolate frames. Machine Learning can also be used to upscale graphics, similar to what PC gamers are enjoying with acronyms like Nvidia’s DLSS, AMD’s FSR, and Intel’s XeSS.

5G and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity 

In the wireless department, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is compatible with 5G networks, with the Snapdragon X62 modem offering up to 4.4 Gbps of downstream performance, the same specs as the 7Gen1.

When it comes to WLAN, the new processor brings an updated FastConnect core, compatible with both Wi-Fi 6E (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands) and Bluetooth 5.3.

Qualcomm didn’t mention support for Wi-Fi 7, or Snapdragon Satellite, which looks like will remain exclusive for premium SoCs for a little while, despite announcements made during MWC 2023.

Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2: Availability

With two of the past three 7-Series Snapdragons being relegated to a single device in the West, both from Xiaomi, it looks like the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 will have better availability. 

Despite launching the succeeding Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 one year after the 778G, the only smartphone so far released in the West with it was the recently announced Xiaomi 13 Lite, repeating the same pattern of the 780G, found only on the Xiaomi Mi 12 Lite 5G, quickly replaced by the otherwise similar Xiaomi 12 Lite 5G NE.

When asked by NextPit about whether we would see the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 in more devices, Qualcomm executives were quick to point out that the company already lined up two brands—Redmi and Realme—and that devices should start coming to market this month.

The new Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 seems to bring to the mid-range market the same jump in performance and efficiency seen in the flagship sector. By replacing Samsung Foundry's troubled 4LPE process with TSMC's proven N4, Qualcomm looks ready to improve the limited supply found with the MIA 7 Gen 1 (and 780G before it) and counter the rival's advances in the heated intermediate market.

Share your thoughts on the latest processor: Is a mid-range option sufficient for your requirements, or do you prefer a smartphone powered by a top-tier SoC? Weigh in now and make an informed decision!