Snapdragon 865 vs Snapdragon 855+ vs 855 Comparison: What’s new?
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset is the powerful processor in 2019-20. So in this article, we deeply discuss the comparison between Snapdragon 865 vs 855+ vs 855 along with a detailed analysis of this new processor. We also do a comparison between Snapdragon 865 and Apple’s A13 Bionic chip. Before we move forward, let’s take a look at the specs of these three processors.
Performance and Features: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 vs 855+ vs 855
As know there is not much difference between 855 and 855+ except the CPU clock speed so they are more or less the same. We will check how the new Snapdragon 865 fares against its last-gen chip 855+ and what new features it brings for Android users. Let’s start with performance and AI improvements.
Before we move forward, let’s take a look at the specs of all three processors.
| Feature | Snapdragon 855 | Snapdragon 855 Plus | Snapdragon 865 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Core | Kryo 485, Octa-core CPU | Kryo 485, Octa-core CPU | Kryo 585, Octa-core CPU |
| CPU Architecture | 1x 2.84GHz (Cortex A76) 3x 2.42GHz (Cortex A76) 4x 1.8GHz (Cortex A55) | 1x 2.96GHz (Cortex A76) 3x 2.42GHz (Cortex A76) 4x 1.8GHz (Cortex A55) | 1x 2.84GHz (Cortex A77) 3x 2.42GHz (Cortex A77) 4x 1.8GHz (Cortex A55) |
| CPU Clock Speed | Up to 2.84GHz | Up to 2.92GHz | Up to 2.84GHz |
| Process Technology | 7nm FinFET | 7nm FinFET | 7nm FinFET |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 640 | Adreno 650 |
| DSP | Hexagon 690 | Hexagon 690 | Hexagon 698 |
| ISP | Spectra 380 | Spectra 380 | Spectra 480 |
| Camera Capability | Up to 192 MP | Up to 192 MP | Up to 200 MP |
| Video Capability | 4K HDR @ 60FPS | 4K HDR @ 60FPS | 8K @ 30 FPS, 4K HDR @ 60FPS, 4K @ 120FPS |
| Charging | Quick Charge 4+ | Quick Charge 4+ | Quick Charge 4+ |
| Modem | X24 LTE 2 Gbps Peak Download 316 Mbps Peak Upload | X24 LTE 2 Gbps Peak Download 316 Mbps Peak Upload | X55 5G Modem 7.5 Gbps Peak Download 3 Gbps Peak Upload |
| WiFi Support | Wi-Fi 6-ready | Wi-Fi 6-ready | Wi-Fi 6-ready |
Performance and AI
The release of Snapdragon 855 brought a huge improvement over the previous processor 845. Qualcomm claims that Snapdragon 865’s CPU is 25% improved over the last-gen chip and delivers high-performance improvement. Similarly, the Adreno 650 GPU on Snapdragon 865 has also seen a steady improvement of 25% over the Snapdragon 855. The upgrade in CPU and GPU helps in multitasking and improve gaming performance.
However, in terms of AI computation, Qualcomm has seen huge growth. In the latest Snapdragon 865 chip, you will get the 5th generation Qualcomm AI Engine that comes with incredible tools to deliver super-fast results. In comparison to Snapdragon 855, the latest 865 is 2x more powerful and can deliver AI performance of 15 Tera operations per second which means you are going to get much real-time translation, faster Google Assistant results, and more. The new Qualcomm’s Hexagon Tensor Accelerator is 4x more powerful and 35% power-efficient than its predecessor. SP we can say that, in the artificial intelligence field, Qualcomm is working hard and their hard work is paying off in the form of the latest AI engines which are only going to get better.
Elite Gaming
Qualcomm snapdragon 865 vs 855+ vs 855
Elite Gaming, which is the Gaming a part of Snapdragon 855, SoC. It was designed to bring improved gaming performance with HDR and powerful graphics rendering. Now with the new Snapdragon 865, it is doubled the Elite Gaming experience. With this new chipset, you will be able to do HDR gaming on a 144Hz display panel with a breeze. Qualcomm will release Adreno graphics driver update over the air (OTA) through OEM channels like Play Store or System Updates.
In terms of graphics performance, As I said above the GPU improvement is said to be 25% better than 855. A new feature called Adreno HDR Fast Blend is introduced with Adreno 650 GPU. It enhances the gaming performance with heavy blending that is mostly used in powerful rendering systems. As claims made by Qualcomm, you can get a 2x performance jump in certain gaming situations.
Image Signal Processor
Coming to the ISP (Image Signal Processor) the performance of Snapdragon 865, Qualcomm has improved Spectra 480 in comparison to the last-gen Spectra 380 in 855. The Snapdragon 865 is capable of recording 8K video at 30FPS (like in Samsung S20) and can capture images of up to 200 megapixels and 960FPS slow-motion videos at 720p resolution. In Snapdragon, you could only shoot up to 4K HDR videos at 60FPS. This Gigapixel Speed technology which allows the ISP to operate at a staggering speed of up to 2 gigapixels per second.
What Else is New?
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 comes with the latest WiFi-6 and Bluetooth-5. They call it FastConnect 6800, in which the BlueTooth and the WiFi work together in coordination with it. It results in better speed and connectivity in crowded areas. It’s an upgrade from the last FastConnect 6200 which was available on Snapdragon 855+ and 855, this year Qualcomm has got WiFi 6 certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Apart from that, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 features the latest WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5 support, that upgrade the separate mobile connectivity subsystem. Qualcomm calls it FastConnect 6800 which works in sync with WiFi and Bluetooth to provide superior speed and reliable connection in crowded spaces. It’s an upgrade from the last FastConnect 6200 which was available on Snapdragon 855+ and 855, this year Qualcomm has got WiFi 6 certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance. All these upgrades only mean that the consumer will be gifted with a better wireless performance.
Qualcomm snapdragon 865 vs 855+ vs 855 aptx
The all-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 now supports the Super Wide Band (SWB) voice for Bluetooth devices. The company has called it Qualcomm aptX Voice which is different from Qualcomm aptX Audio. It’s been said that it will enhance the sound quality and will reduce battery consumption.
The Conundrum: What about 5G?
While there have been many guessworks about 5G integration and Snapdragon 865, The company told ‘The Verge’ that “the Snapdragon 865 will be exclusive for 5G phones and will require the companion X55 modem”. It only concludes that Snapdragon 865 is a 5G-enabled chipset.
But what about India, the biggest mobile phone market in the world, where there are no signs of 5g yet? Would it be compatible with the networks available in India? The answer is ‘Yes’, it will be compatible with the currently available networks in India until 5g networks are introduced. Although natives are concerned about the frequency management of the X55 modem. Would it be able to handle the network switch smoothly or will drain out the battery in this process? We will see!
Snapdragon 865 vs 855+ vs 855: Result?
After going through all the features and performance analysis, we can say that it had made decent improvements over the previous generation processors. However, in Image processing and AI, the Snapdragon 865 is the ultimate winner. The world is evolving to 5g and soon 5g networks will become reality in many places. Mobile manufacturers have already started rolling out 5g enabled mobile phones and the majority of the phones will have the 865 Chipset. So, with all the information provided above, you can decide whether you want an upgrade or not.