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The Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 has the stronger published specification and benchmark position against the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4. Qualcomm lists a higher maximum CPU speed and newer wireless standards for the 6s Gen 4, while third-party benchmark aggregates also favor it. Those benchmark results are unevenly sampled, however, and do not prove that every phone using the 6s Gen 4 will be faster or better in daily use.
Specifications at a glance
| Specification | Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing process | 4 nm, according to Qualcomm’s product brief | 4 nm, according to Qualcomm’s product page |
| CPU | Four performance cores up to 2.4 GHz and four efficiency cores up to 1.8 GHz, per Qualcomm’s product brief | CPU speeds up to 2.3 GHz; Qualcomm’s page does not specify the core configuration in the listed material |
| GPU and display | Adreno GPU; FHD+ display support up to 144 Hz | Adreno GPU; Qualcomm highlights 120 FPS display refresh support |
| Wireless connectivity | Release 16 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.4 listed in the brief | 5G, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.1 listed on Qualcomm’s page |
| Camera capabilities | Up to 200 MP photo capture, hardware MFNR, and 2K HDR capture at 30 fps listed | Up to 36 MP capture and hardware-based MFNR described on Qualcomm’s page |
| Memory | LPDDR4x or LPDDR5x; up to 12 GB listed | LPDDR5 listed |
These are platform capabilities, not a complete phone specification. Manufacturers choose the memory configuration, screen, antennas, camera sensors, and other components, so two phones using the same chip can differ substantially.
How the benchmark scores compare
NanoReview’s live comparison displays the following aggregate scores. They are third-party results, not a controlled test of two matched phones. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 has fewer than three displayed samples for every listed result.
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|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu 11 | 829,894 | 593,849 | 10 vs fewer than 3 |
| Geekbench 6 single-core | 1,009 | 952 | 7 vs fewer than 3 |
| Geekbench 6 multi-core | 2,892 | 2,328 | 7 vs fewer than 3 |
NanoReview’s comparison also says it has no Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 user benchmark submissions in its recent-test section. The displayed results point toward a 6s Gen 4 lead, particularly in the aggregate and multi-core figures, but the small, uneven sample means they should be treated as provisional rather than a reliable forecast for a particular handset.
#1 Best Overall
- Brilliant OLED Display – Incredible image quality – The 13" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with optional OLED and HDR[2] tech, gives you sharp detail, smooth scrolling, and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame - perfect for work, school, streaming, and creative tasks.
- Up to 15.5 hours of battery life[3] - The new Surface Pro is designed for long days, late nights and everything in between.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Pro delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
What the specification differences mean
CPU speed and core details
Qualcomm lists a 2.4 GHz maximum for the 6s Gen 4’s performance cores, alongside four efficiency cores up to 1.8 GHz. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 page gives a maximum CPU speed of 2.3 GHz but does not detail the core arrangement in the material cited here. The 6s Gen 4 therefore has the higher published peak frequency, but clock speed alone cannot establish an exact performance advantage.
Graphics and display support
The 6s Gen 4 brief lists FHD+ support up to 144 Hz; Qualcomm highlights 120 FPS display refresh support for the 4 Gen 4. These platform figures do not guarantee that a phone has a panel with that refresh rate, or that a particular game can render at it. The phone’s screen and software, as well as each game’s support, determine what users actually see.
Rank #2
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- A 15" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 19 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 19 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports and a microSD card reader for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
Wireless standards
The 6s Gen 4 brief lists Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, while Qualcomm’s 4 Gen 4 page lists Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1. These are newer listed standards for the 6s Gen 4; actual connectivity still depends on the phone’s implementation, including supported cellular bands, antennas, and compatible networks or accessories.
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Camera and memory capabilities
The brief’s maximum photo resolution and video capability, and the 4 Gen 4 page’s stated capture support, describe platform-level options—not guaranteed camera quality. Image results depend on the phone’s sensor, lenses, image processing, and manufacturer tuning. Likewise, the 6s Gen 4’s listed memory options do not mean every phone with that chip will include the same RAM type or capacity.
Rank #3
- 2K OLED DISPLAY - Experience rich colors and crisp visuals for your everyday productivity with an OLED display, 1920x1200 resolution, and up to 300 nits of brightness
- SNAPDRAGON X X1-26-100 PROCESSOR - Perfect for on-the-go productivity, this processor delivers essential performance, AI capabilities, and long-lasting battery life; Stay efficient and connected all day, every day
- ENJOY UP TO 41 HOURS AND 45 MINUTES OF BATTERY LIFE - HP Fast Charge restores battery from 0 to 50% in approximately 45 minutes
- Qualcomm Adreno GPU - Experience high performance graphics and rich user experiences while optimizing power consumption; Elevate your mobile UI, games and advanced graphics applications with fast responsiveness and superior mobile connectivity
- STORAGE AND MEMORY - 256 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD offers fast speed and efficient storage; and 16 GB LPDDR5x RAM memory boosts performance with higher bandwidth
What Qualcomm’s performance percentages do—and don’t—say
Qualcomm reports a 36% CPU improvement and a 59% GPU improvement for the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4. The comparison is against the previous-generation Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, not the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4. Qualcomm’s brief adds: “Results will vary, depending on OEM implementation and other factors.” These percentages are manufacturer claims about a different comparison, so they should not be used as the measured performance gap between the two chips in this article.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which chip should you choose?
On published specifications and the available benchmark aggregates, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 is the stronger-looking option. But a chipset comparison is only one part of a phone decision. The evidence cited here does not establish specific currently available handset models for either processor, or settle sustained gaming speed, heat, battery life, camera results, price, or local availability.
Rank #4
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 13.8" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 20 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 20 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- THE PORTS YOU NEED — Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
Compare named phones using independent reviews that test them under the same conditions. Check their memory and storage, display, battery and thermal behavior, cameras, and price rather than treating the chip name as a guarantee of the overall experience. Do not confuse the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 or Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2; they are different platform names.
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Best Value
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- ELEVATED VISUAL DISPLAY – The 15.3" 16:10 display brings elevated visuals and more screen space for work and play. Vivid colors, deep blacks, and sharp contrast make every detail shine, whether you’re streaming, gaming, or creating.
- YOUR PC, YOUR PRIVACY –The physical webcam shutter lets you stay in control of who’s watching and a fingerprint reader offers faster, safer logins. Plus, the Enhanced Security Suite adds extra protection to keep your data private and your PC secure.
- PREMIUM DURABILITY – The IdeaPad Slim 3x is built with a premium-grade metal chassis that offers supreme durability from military-grade MIL-STD 810H tests. It delivers strong, dependable performance with a premium design. Ready for whatever, wherever.
- BUILT FOR AI – Powered by a 45 TOPS NPU, this AI-driven Copilot+ PC crushes multitasking, smooths video calls, and lasts all day.
Sources
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 Mobile Platform product brief
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 Mobile Platform
- NanoReview Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 comparison
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