Qualcomm unveils a pair of chips: Snapdragon 6, 4 series to improve the features you actually use

The Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 empowers users with better performance to do more on their phones. — (Image credit: Qualcomm)

What you need to know

Qualcomm unveiled two new chips: the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 and the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5.
Both chips feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon Smooth Motion UI, which was introduced as a feature to help smooth navigation and app opening (for the SD 6 Gen 5).
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 is also the first of its series to feature 90fps for mobile gaming.

The next iteration of Qualcomm chips for affordable devices is here, and they bring all-around performance upgrades for phones.

Even though it's late at night here in the States, Qualcomm isn't letting that hold back the reveal of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 and 4 Gen 5 chips. In a press release, the company states that both chips stand on the foundation of creating "next-gen capabilities designed for real-world experiences." There's a strong focus this year on the features users typically use on their phones, and that begins with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5.

This chip is the more robust of the two, delivering upgrades for users who want a little more out of their phone. Qualcomm says the SD 6 Gen 5 features support for AI-based Night Vision in cameras, 100x zoom support, and 32MP capture. When it comes to gaming, Qualcomm said it introduced its Adaptive Performance Engine 4.0 to facilitate "smooth, long-lasting play." With that in mind, its Adreno GPU performance has reportedly shot up by 21%, but that doesn't just help your gaming experience; it aids your overall graphical experience across all apps.

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Snapdragon Game Resolution and Qualcomm's FPS 3.0 also find their way onto the chip. Surging ahead are the company's Kryo CPU cores for the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5. Another key ingredient to Qualcomm's early May launch is Snapdragon Smooth Motion UI.

The company says this new technology aims to make navigating your phone flow freely. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 launches apps 20% faster with "18% less screen stutter." Soon, consumers will find this chip in phones from "global OEMs, including Honor and Redmi.

Just one more chip

The Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 SoC helps empower more affordable phones with performance capabilities that make the difference in everyday life. — (Image credit: Qualcomm)

Qualcomm won't let you forget about its second chip: the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5. For this piece of hardware, the company is targeting dependability with its 77% increase in Adreno GPU performance for 90fps in games. Qualcomm highlights this, stating this is the first time a 4-series chip has achieved such an FPS feat. Consumers will find its Kryo CPU cores advancing its performance capabilities, alongside several camera features.

The SD 4 Gen 5 supports auto focus, white balance, and exposure, as well as face detection and EIS (electronic image stabilization). Much like the more robust Snapdragon 6 Gen 5, the 4 Gen 5 supports Qualcomm's Snapdragon Smooth Motion UI introduction.

The market is preparing to receive this chip, too. Soon, you can find it powering the next phones from OPPO, Realme, and Redmi.

Android Central's Take

These chips? Not bad. And, yeah, I know they way I say it sounds like I'm talking about potato chips. My humor aside, I am particular intrigued by Qualcomm's efforts to improve the gaming potential of these chips. They're not flagships by any means, but they will help that middle sector out. It'd be nice if we could get to a point where other phones aren't staring at a monumental gap between gaming on a flagship and gaming on something cheaper. I know that gap won't be zero, but if there's a chance to close it just a bit, I'll take it.

Nickolas is always excited about tech and getting his hands on it. Writing for him can vary from delivering the latest tech story to scribbling in his journal. When Nickolas isn't hitting a story, he's often grinding away at a game or chilling with a book in his hand.