Qualcomm has unveiled its latest mobile platform, the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2, designed to make 5G technology more accessible and affordable.
This new chipset aims to make some of the best budget phones even better to use, offering improved performance, longer battery life and excellent camera capabilities without the usual extra costs.
Here’s a detailed look at the launch timeline, the phones that will feature this new chipset, and the specs and features it brings.
When will the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 be launched?
The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 was officially unveiled by Qualcomm on July 30, 2024.
While no exact release date has been revealed yet, we can expect the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 to be widely available soon.
So, when will we see the first Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 phones? Qualcomm is vague about this, but says commercial devices with this chipset are “expected to be announced before the end of this year.”
Which phones will use the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2?
Qualcomm has confirmed that Xiaomi will be the first major company to implement the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 in its device. Other brands under the Xiaomi umbrella such as Poco and Redmi are also expected to use this chipset in their upcoming devices.
Chris Martin / Foundry
In addition, we currently know of no other brands that will unveil phones with this chip.
However, any phone maker that makes budget phones and uses Snapdragon chipsets in their phones could realistically use the 4s Gen 2. However, Samsung tends to opt for its own Exynos chips in cheaper handsets, so don’t expect a Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 Galaxy.
What are the specifications and features of the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2?
Performance
The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 is built on a 4nm process node, which significantly improves power efficiency and performance compared to 5nm or 7nm processors.
The CPU, a Qualcomm Kryo, is said to reach peak speeds of 2 GHz, with a mix of two performance cores and six efficiency cores.
According to Qualcomm, users can expect all-day battery life thanks to Quick Charge 4+ technology, which can charge phone batteries up to 50% in just 15 minutes.
The processor also supports UFS 3.1 storage for faster data processing and app performance, along with fast LPDDR4X memory.
Connectivity
The most exciting thing about the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 is its 5G capabilities. This chip integrates the Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF system and supports download speeds of up to 1 Gbps over mobile data.
Additional connectivity features include Qualcomm Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) with dual frequency band support, Bluetooth 5.1 technology for improved wireless communications and dual frequency GNSS (L1 + L5) and NavIC for improved location accuracy.
Qualcomm
Cameras
According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 also offers advanced camera and multimedia capabilities to improve user experiences.
The Qualcomm Spectra 12-bit dual ISP supports up to 84 MP photo recording, 1080p video recording at 60 fps and several advanced features such as Multi-Frame Noise Reduction and Video Image Stabilization.
It supports FHD+ displays at 90 fps for smooth gaming and media consumption. Audio is enhanced with Qualcomm Aqstic audio codec and aptX Adaptive audio to ensure high-fidelity sound reproduction and voice clarity.
AI features
Finally, AI improvements in the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 are said to enable smarter interactions and improved security.
AI-powered voice activation enables voice commands with improved noise cancellation. The chipset also includes Qualcomm Trusted Execution Environment and other security services to protect user data and privacy.
The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 sounds good on paper, but will it ultimately “redefine the entry-level mobile experience” as Qualcomm hopes? Time will tell, but it could significantly improve the performance of some of the cheapest smartphones out there.
More interested in Qualcomm’s flagships? See our separate articles on the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.