Not content material with one high-end chipset launch, Qualcomm has simply unveiled its second 800 collection processor in simply two months. The Snapdragon 870 5G Cellular Platform guarantees larger clock speeds than final 12 months’s processors and will probably be powering upcoming flagship-tier merchandise from Motorola, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo’s Iqoo model, and Xiaomi.
In actuality, the processor is nearer to a “Snapdragon 865 Plus Plus” than an all-new design for reasonably priced flagship smartphones. We had been hoping for a Snapdragon 888 Lite to fill that hole however that’s to not be. How does this processor stack up in opposition to Qualcomm’s different 2021 premium-tier possibility? Let’s dive into the Snapdragon 870 vs Snapdragon 888.
Snapdragon SoC information: All of Qualcomm’s smartphone processors defined
Snapdragon 870 vs Snapdragon 888 specs
| Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 870 | Snapdragon 865 Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Config | 1x 2.84GHz (Cortex-X1) 3x 2.4GHz (Cortex-A78) 4x 1.8GHz (Cortex-A55) | 1x 3.2GHz (Cortex-A77) 3x 2.4GHz (Cortex-A77) 4x 1.8GHz (Cortex-A55) | 1x 3.1GHz (Cortex-A77) 3x 2.4GHz (Cortex-A77) 4x 1.8GHz (Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| DSP | Hexagon 780 (fused scalar, tensor, and vector) | Hexagon 698 | Hexagon 698 |
| Course of | 5nm | 7nm FinFET | 7nm FinFET |
| Digital camera help | • 200MP single shot • 84MP single with zero shutter lag • 64MP+25MP with zero shutter lag • Triple 24MP with zero shutter lag • Hybrid AF • 10-bit HEIF picture seize • HDR video • multi-frame noise discount • Actual-time object classification, segmentation, and substitute | • 200MP single shot • 64MP with zero shutter lag • 25MP twin digital camera with zero shutter lag • Hybrid AF • HDR video • multi-frame noise discount • Actual-time object classification, segmentation, and substitute | • 200MP single shot • 64MP with zero shutter lag • 25MP twin digital camera with zero shutter lag • Hybrid AF • HDR video • multi-frame noise discount • Actual-time object classification, segmentation, and substitute |
| Video seize | 8K @ 30fps 4K UHD @ 120fps 720p @ 960fps | 8K @ 30fps 4K UHD @ 120fps 720p @ 960fps | 8K @ 30fps 4K UHD @ 120fps 720p @ 960fps |
| Video playback | 8K 4K HDR as much as 120fps H.265 and VP9 video decoder 360 diploma | 8K 4K HDR as much as 120fps H.265 and VP9 video decoder 360 diploma | 8K 4K HDR as much as 120fps H.265 and VP9 video decoder 360 diploma |
| Charging | Fast Cost 5 | Fast Cost 4+ Fast Cost AI | Fast Cost 4+ Fast Cost AI |
| Modem | X60 LTE/5G (built-in) 7500 Mbps down 3000 Mbps up | X55 LTE/5G (exterior) 7500 Mbps down 3000 Mbps up | X55 LTE/5G (exterior) 7500 Mbps down 3000 Mbps up |
| Different networking | Bluetooth 5.2 Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), 802.11a/b/g/n | Bluetooth 5.1 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), 802.11a/b/g/n | Bluetooth 5.1 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), 802.11a/b/g/n |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 vs Snapdragon 888: Extra of the identical
A fast flick through the desk above yields numerous key variations within the Snapdragon 870 vs Snapdragon 888 debate. First, the Snapdragon 870 is predicated on the marginally older Arm Cortex-A77 huge CPU cores, somewhat than the leading edge Arm Cortex-X1 and A78 clusters discovered within the Snapdragon 888. CPU structure is usually extra essential than uncooked clock speeds. The Cortex-X1 structure does rather more per clock than the Cortex-A77 and comes out forward regardless of the two.84GHz versus 3.2GHz clock pace discrepancy.
The 870 mannequin additionally incorporates a last-gen Adreno 650 GPU, Hexagon 698 DSP, and older picture processing blocks, in comparison with the 888’s Adreno 660 GPU, Hexagon 780 DSP, and extra highly effective Spectra ISP. This makes the 888 the superior chip in terms of gaming, AI processing, and imaging applied sciences. Though the marginally older options within the 870 stay very aggressive, which incorporates help for dual-camera processing, 8K video recording, in addition to mmWave and Sub-6GHz 5G networks.
See additionally: Snapdragon 888 vs Exynos 2100 vs Kirin 9000 vs Apple A14 specs in contrast
One other essential distinction is that the Snapdragon 870 retains an exterior Snapdragon X55 5G modem somewhat than transferring to an built-in half and remains to be manufactured on a 7nm somewhat than a 5nm course of. As such, the Snapdragon 888 retains a wholesome lead within the vitality effectivity division in addition to by way of efficiency. There’s additionally no Fast Cost 5, Bluetooth 5.2, or Wi-Fi 6E help with the 870.
The three.2% clock pace improve is the one distinction versus last-gen’s Snapdragon 865 Plus.
Actually, the 870 is predicated fully on final 12 months’s Snapdragon 865 Plus. The one distinction is the rise within the Prime CPU core clock pace. Up from 3.1GHz within the 865 Plus to three.2GHz within the 870, which is a somewhat minor 3.2% change. Keep in mind, the Snapdragon 865 Plus was only a quicker model of the Snapdragon 865. That means the Snapdragon 870’s function set is plucked fully from 2020.
That being stated, the Snapdragon 865 Plus presents a 10% CPU and GPU enhancements over the Snapdragon 865. The Snapdragon 870 nonetheless advantages from that efficiency enchancment over numerous 2020 flagship handsets that didn’t function the Plus chipset variant. We didn’t see too many Snapdragon 865 Plus smartphones launched in 2020, so the Snapdragon 870 will nonetheless present a small efficiency bump over numerous last-gen handsets. Though no-where close to the 30-40% efficiency enhancements promised by the Snapdragon 888.
See additionally: Evaluation — Qualcomm simply spent $1.Four billion to compete with Apple’s Arm laptops
Ought to I purchase a cellphone with a Snapdragon 870 inside?
There’s rather more to a fantastic smartphone expertise than simply the processor, so we’d hesitate to make any suggestions primarily based on the chip alone. Until you’re after bleeding-edge efficiency and an built-in 5G modem package deal, that’s. Through which case the Snapdragon 888 is the best way to go.
On paper, the Snapdragon 870 is a high-quality processor nevertheless it’s primarily only a rebrand of last-gen know-how. Granted, we didn’t have any trigger for complaints concerning the capabilities of 2020’s smartphones and this chip will proceed to carry out effectively in 2021. Simply remember that, regardless of the brand new identify, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 presents efficiency, options, and vitality effectivity that had been already out there in 2020. So don’t improve from a last-gen flagship to a Snapdragon 870 handset for efficiency alone.
The Snapdragon 870 may assist construct reasonably priced flagships with last-gen efficiency.
Even so, the Snapdragon 870 stays an fascinating possibility. We’re effectively previous the purpose of smartphone efficiency being adequate. As an alternative, value is turning into more and more preferable versus quantity crunching. The Snapdragon 870 may slot properly into the rising hole between the mid-range Snapdragon 765G and the ultra-premium Snapdragon 888 — offering that Qualcomm costs the chip competitively.
Regardless of its last-gen credentials, producers can definitely construct nice telephones primarily based on the Snapdragon 870. We’ll simply have to attend and see what kind of worth proposition they provide. Keep tuned for handset bulletins in Q2 2021.
