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Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is the newer chip, and available CPU and graphics comparisons generally favor it—but benchmark results are not consistent enough to declare it faster in every task or every phone. Qualcomm announced Gen 1 in September 2022 and Gen 4 in February 2025. Both are 4 nm platforms. For a buying decision, compare the actual phones as well as their processors: manufacturers’ designs, cooling, memory, and software affect real-world performance.
Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 vs Gen 4: key specifications
Qualcomm’s specifications list a maximum CPU speed of up to 2.2 GHz for Gen 1 and up to 2.3 GHz for Gen 4. Both use a 4 nm process, but clock speed alone does not determine how quickly a phone performs. Qualcomm identifies the Gen 1 modem as the Snapdragon X62 5G Modem-RF System; Gen 4 uses a Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF System.
| Specification | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | September 6, 2022 (Qualcomm) | February 12, 2025 (Qualcomm) |
| Manufacturing process | 4 nm, per Qualcomm | 4 nm, per Qualcomm |
| Maximum CPU speed | Up to 2.2 GHz, per Qualcomm | Up to 2.3 GHz, per Qualcomm |
| Modem-RF system | Snapdragon X62 5G, per Qualcomm | Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF System, per Qualcomm |
| CPU core layout | Four cores up to 2.2 GHz and four up to 1.8 GHz, according to NanoReview | One core up to 2.3 GHz, three up to 2.2 GHz, and four up to 1.8 GHz, according to NanoReview |
The core layouts in the table are third-party descriptions, not details confirmed in the Qualcomm product-page text cited here. Qualcomm’s launch announcements also describe platform capabilities: Gen 1 highlights a triple ISP, photo capture up to 200 MP, computational HDR video, 5G, and Wi-Fi 6E; Gen 4 highlights gaming features, 200 MP photo capture, 5G, and Wi-Fi 6/6E. These are platform options, not a guarantee that a particular phone implements every capability.
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Qualcomm says Gen 4 offers an 11% CPU performance improvement and up to 29% better GPU performance over the previous generation. The company attributes the CPU figure to Geekbench v6.2 single-core and the GPU figure to GFXBench Aztec Ruins. These are Qualcomm’s generational claims, not results from a directly controlled comparison of two retail phones. Qualcomm also reports 12% power savings from internal testing and cautions that battery life depends on the device, settings, usage, and other features.
#1 Best Overall
- MULTIPLE TASKS WITH ONE ASK: Streamline your day with an assistant that gets you. Ask it to Google search for a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and text it to your friend— your Galaxy S25+ handles multiple tasks with a single ask.¹
- START THE DAY SMARTER: Stay one step ahead with a phone that gives you the info you need before you even know you need it with Now Brief.²
- REDUCE THE NOISE. REVEAL THE MAGIC: AI Camera with Audio Eraser lets you capture vibrant videos in low light and minimize unwanted noises so you can relive your favorite moments with fewer distractions.³
- BRING OUT THE BEST IN EVERY FACE: Capture every portrait with clarity and confidence on the Galaxy S25+ Series. The advanced portrait features adjust skin tones and preserve natural textures, giving every shot a polished, professional look.
- MORE POWER TO YOU: Reimagine what’s possible with the Galaxy S25+, featuring our most powerful processor yet. Effortlessly translate your calls, slow down a video, or edit your photos without skipping a beat.
Third-party comparison pages favor Gen 4 in some tests, but they do not produce the same AnTuTu result. Their figures come from separate datasets and should not be treated as measurements from one standardized test session.
| Source and reported test | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| NanoReview: AnTuTu 11 | 737,054 | 975,254 | Reported result favors Gen 4; not a universal score for every phone. |
| NanoReview: Geekbench 6 | 930 single-core / 2,700 multi-core | 1,087 single-core / 3,148 multi-core | Reported results favor Gen 4. |
| NanoReview: PCMark 3.0 | 11,988 | 11,789 | Reported result slightly favors Gen 1, showing that the winner varies by workload and sample. |
| 91mobiles: AnTuTu | 846,599 | 764,410 | Reported result favors Gen 1—the opposite direction from NanoReview’s AnTuTu 11 comparison. |
| 91mobiles: Geekbench | 948 single-core / 2,764 multi-core | 1,100 single-core / 3,097 multi-core | Reported results favor Gen 4. |
The comparison pages show results drawn from different phone samples; NanoReview also indicates different numbers of models in its samples. A score can vary with the specific handset and its software, so these figures are evidence about reported comparisons, not a guarantee of performance in any particular model.
Rank #2
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
Which chip is better for gaming?
Gen 4 is the stronger starting point on paper: Qualcomm claims up to 29% better GPU performance than the previous generation and highlights gaming features in its launch announcement. That claim is based on GFXBench Aztec Ruins and is not a promise of a particular frame rate in a game.
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For gaming, the phone’s sustained performance matters as much as the chip’s headline capability. Cooling, screen resolution and refresh rate, game settings, and the handset’s software can affect frame rates and heat under longer sessions. Look for reviews of the exact phone and sustained-load behavior rather than relying on a chip-level benchmark alone.
Rank #3
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
How to choose between phones with these chips
Chip comparisons can narrow a shortlist, but they cannot settle a phone purchase by themselves. 91mobiles lists the iQOO Z9x and vivo T3x among phones using Gen 1, and the realme P3 and OPPO K13 5G among phones using Gen 4. Availability and configurations can vary by region, so confirm the exact local model before comparing prices.
- Check the exact regional SKU: A model name can cover different configurations or markets.
- Compare RAM and storage: The available configuration affects multitasking and day-to-day use.
- Assess the screen and battery: These directly affect the experience and may matter more than a modest benchmark gap.
- Look for sustained-load reviews: Thermal behavior can shape gaming and other demanding tasks over time.
- Check software support and current local price: These vary by handset and market; the chip comparison does not establish them.
- Read benchmark details: Note the benchmark version and the phone used, and avoid treating scores from different datasets as a single head-to-head test.
Qualcomm’s platform pages describe what each chip can support; the handset maker decides which features to implement. A newer processor is a useful signal, not a substitute for checking the complete phone.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
