Qualcomm's "4" series processors usually target the budget-friendly smartphone sector. Last year, the company launched the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, which brought enhancements over its predecessor with a 4nm manufacturing process and support for faster RAM and storage. A recent leak hints that the chipmaker might be introducing another variant – the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2.
Leaked Information
Leaked by Evan Blass on X (formerly Twitter), the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 seems to fit between the existing Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 and 4 Gen 2 in terms of performance. It maintains the 4nm process and an octa-core CPU configuration but with a slight reduction in clock speed (up to 2.0GHz) compared to the 4 Gen 2’s 2.2GHz.
Display and RAM Adjustments
The major compromise appears to be in display support. While the 4 Gen 2 provided a smooth 120Hz FHD+ experience, the 4s Gen 2 downgrades to a more standard 90Hz FHD+.
Another cost-saving measure is in RAM compatibility. Unlike its siblings, the 4s Gen 2 uses the more established LPDDR4x RAM, with speeds up to 2133MHz, instead of the more advanced LPDDR5x. Though this might not significantly affect everyday tasks, it could influence multitasking and app loading times.
Camera Capabilities and Market Position
Surprisingly, the 4s Gen 2 lacks support for 108MP cameras. Even the base Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 offers this feature, while the 4s Gen 2 seemingly focuses on lower megapixel sensors, which may limit image quality on phones equipped with this chip.
Taking a broader view, the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 positions itself as a cost-effective option for manufacturers aiming to create affordable 5G smartphones.
However, the downgrades in display refresh rates, RAM compatibility, and camera capabilities suggest that users might encounter some compromises in performance and user experience. It remains uncertain which phone brands will adopt the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2.
