When it comes to mobile processors, Qualcomm’s naming scheme can be a real headache. And nowhere is this more obvious than with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 vs Snapdragon 4s Gen 2. Just one small letter separates them, but under the hood, these two SoCs are actually quite different. In fact, Qualcomm’s use of the “s” tag here makes things even more confusing. You’d assume the 4s Gen 2 is an upgrade, right? It’s not. If anything, it’s the less powerful version.
Let’s break this mess down and find out what separates these two lower mid-range chips meant for affordable smartphones.
Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 was made by Qualcomm and announced in June 2023. It sits firmly in the lower mid-range segment, meant to offer modern features like 5G and efficient performance for budget phones without pushing the price too high.
You can find it in devices like:
- Redmi Note 12R
- Vivo V40 SE
- Poco M6 plus
Snapdragon 4s Gen 2
The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 is also built by Qualcomm and was announced in August 2024. This chip is essentially a trimmed-down version of the 4 Gen 2, made for even more affordable phones. It retains a similar CPU layout but features weaker components across the board — lower GPU, lower ISP support, and slower RAM.
Phones using the 4s Gen 2 include:
- Redmi A4 5G
- Poco C75 5G
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Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 vs Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 Specs Comparison
| Specs | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 2x Cortex A78 (2.2GHz)
6x Cortex A55 (2.0GHz) |
2x Cortex A78 (2.0GHz)
6x Cortex A55 (1.8GHz) |
4 Gen 2 |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Adreno 611 | 4 Gen 2 |
| Process | 4nm | 4nm | Tie |
| RAM | LPDDR4X / LPDDR5 (3200MHz) | LPDDR4X (2133MHz) | 4 Gen 2 |
| Storage | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | Tie |
| AnTuTu | ~435,000 | ~376,951 | 4 Gen 2 |
| Geek Bench 6 | ~934 / 2051 | ~825 / 1869 | 4 Gen 2 |
| ISP | Dual Spectra ISP (108MP) | Spectra ISP (84MP, 32MP ZSL) | 4 Gen 2 |
| AI | Hexagon DSP | Hexagon DSP | Tie |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@60fps | Tie |
| Display | Up to FHD+ | FHD+ @ 90Hz | Tie |
| Modem | Snapdragon X61 (5G up to 2.5Gbps) | Snapdragon X (4G/5G up to 1Gbps) | 4 Gen 2 – Faster 5G |
| BT | 5.1 | 5.1 | Tie |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 5 | 4 Gen 2 |
| Fast Charge | Quick Charge 4+ | Quick Charge 4+ | Tie |
CPU Performance
Both chips feature the same 2+6 core setup with Cortex-A78 and A55 cores. However, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 clocks its A78 cores at 2.2GHz and A55 cores at 2.0GHz, compared to 2.0GHz and 1.8GHz respectively on the 4s Gen 2.
That translates to better single-threaded and multi-threaded performance for the 4 Gen 2 across the board. It’s simply faster.
Winner: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
GPU – Graphics & Gaming
The Adreno 613 on the 4 Gen 2 is newer and slightly more powerful than the Adreno 611 used in the 4s Gen 2. While neither GPU is a gaming powerhouse, casual games and UI animations will perform better on the 4 Gen 2.
Winner: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
Benchmarks
- AnTuTu 10
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 2: ~435,000
- Snapdragon 4s Gen 2: ~377,000
- GeekBench 6
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 2: ~934 / 2051
- Snapdragon 4s Gen 2: ~825 / 1869
No contest here — the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 wins on all fronts.
Winner: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
RAM and Storage
The 4 Gen 2 supports LPDDR5, running at a faster 3200MHz, whereas the 4s Gen 2 is stuck on LPDDR4X at 2133MHz. That means more memory bandwidth and slightly smoother multitasking on the 4 Gen 2.
Both SoCs support UFS 3.1 storage, though budget phones rarely include it.
Winner: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
Display Support
Both chips are limited to FHD+ resolution, but the 4s Gen 2 specifically mentions 90Hz refresh rate. The 4 Gen 2 doesn’t state refresh rate support clearly, though it’s likely similar.
Winner: Tie
Camera and Video
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 can handle up to 108MP photos and likely better image processing thanks to its more advanced Dual Spectra ISP.
The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 maxes out at 84MP, with additional support for 32MP ZSL (Zero Shutter Lag). Both support 1080p@60fps video.
Winner: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
Connectivity and Modem
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 has the X61 modem, with 5G speeds up to 2.5Gbps and support for Wi-Fi 6.
- Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 uses an unspecified Snapdragon X modem with speeds capped at 1Gbps, and supports Wi-Fi 5.
The X61 modem also brings better power efficiency and broader band support.
Winner: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
Final Verdict – Which Should You Go For?
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| CPU | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 |
| GPU | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 |
| Benchmarks | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 |
| RAM | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 |
| Storage | Tie |
| Display | Tie |
| Camera | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 |
| Video | Tie |
| Connectivity | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 |
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is clearly the better chip. It’s faster, supports better memory, has a stronger ISP, better modem, and even Wi-Fi 6. The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2, despite the “s” suffix that usually suggests a performance bump, is actually a weaker and cheaper variant.
So if you’re choosing a device and you see Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 vs Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 on the spec sheet — go for the 4 Gen 2 every time.
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