Qualcomm has just launched its second processor of the 800 series in just two months, not content with one high-end chip release. The Snapdragon 870 5G mobile platform promises higher clock speeds than last year’s processors and offers upcoming flagship products from Motorola, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi’s Iqoo brand.
In fact, the processor is closer to a ‘Snapdragon 865 Plus Plus’ than a brand new design for affordable flagship smartphones. We were hoping for a Snapdragon 888 Lite to fill the void, but it’s not. How does this processor compare to Qualcomm’s other 2021 premium option? Let’s dive into the Snapdragon 870 vs Snapdragon 888.
Snapdragon SoC Guide: All Qualcomm smartphone processors explained
Snapdragon 870 vs Snapdragon 888 specifications
| Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 870 | Snapdragon 865 Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU configuration | 1x 2.84 GHz (Cortex-X1) 3x 2.4 GHz (Cortex-A78) 4x 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A55) |
1x 3.2 GHz (Cortex-A77) 3x 2.4 GHz (Cortex-A77) 4x 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A55) |
1x 3.1 GHz (Cortex-A77) 3x 2.4 GHz (Cortex-A77) 4x 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| ADV | Hexagon 780 (fused scalar, tensor and vector) |
Hexagon 698 | Hexagon 698 |
| Process | 5nm | 7nm FinFET | 7nm FinFET |
| Camera support | • 200MP single shot • 84MP single with no shutter speed • 64MP + 25MP with no shutter speed • Triple 24MP with no shutter speed • Baster AF • 10-bit HEIF imaging • HDR video • multi-frame noise cancellation • Real-time classification, segmentation and replacement of objects |
• 200MP single shot • 64MP with no shutter speed • 25MP dual camera with no shutter speed • Baster AF • HDR video • multi-frame noise cancellation • Real-time classification, segmentation and replacement of objects |
• 200MP single shot • 64MP with no shutter speed • 25MP dual camera with no shutter speed • Baster AF • HDR video • multi-frame noise cancellation • Real-time classification, segmentation and replacement of objects |
| Video recording | 8K @ 30fps 4K UHD @ 120 fps 720p @ 960fps |
8K @ 30fps 4K UHD @ 120 fps 720p @ 960fps |
8K @ 30fps 4K UHD @ 120 fps 720p @ 960fps |
| Play video | 8K 4K HDR up to 120 fps H.265 and VP9 video decoder 360 degree |
8K 4K HDR up to 120 fps H.265 and VP9 video decoder 360 degree |
8K 4K HDR up to 120 fps H.265 and VP9 video decoder 360 degree |
| Load | Fast loading 5 | Quick charge 4+ Quick Charge AI |
Quick charge 4+ Quick Charge AI |
| Modem | X60 LTE / 5G (integrated) 7500 Mbps lower 3000 Mbps |
X55 LTE / 5G (external) 7500 Mbps lower 3000 Mbps |
X55 LTE / 5G (external) 7500 Mbps lower 3000 Mbps |
| Other networks | Bluetooth 5.2 Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), 802.11a / b / g / n |
Bluetooth 5.1 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), 802.11a / b / g / n |
Bluetooth 5.1 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), 802.11a / b / g / n |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 vs Snapdragon 888: more of the same
A quick browse through the table above reveals a number of important differences in the Snapdragon 870 vs Snapdragon 888 debate. First, the Snapdragon 870 is based on the slightly older Arm Cortex-A77-sized CPU core, rather than the cutting-edge Arm Cortex-X1 and A78 clusters found in the Snapdragon 888. CPU architecture is often more important than raw clock speeds. The Cortex-X1 architecture does much more per clock than the Cortex-A77 and occurs despite the difference between 2.84 GHz and 3.2 GHz.
The 870 model also features a latest generation Adreno 650 GPU, Hexagon 698 DSP and older image processing blocks, compared to the 888s Adreno 660 GPU, Hexagon 780 DSP, and more powerful Spectra ISP. This makes the 888 the excellent disc in terms of gaming, AI processing and imaging technologies. Although the slightly older features in the 870 remain very competitive, providing support for dual camera processing, 8K video recording, as well as mmWave and Sub-6GHz 5G networks.
See also: Snapdragon 888 vs Exynos 2100 vs Kirin 9000 vs Apple A14 specifications in comparison
Another important difference is that the Snapdragon 870 retains an external Snapdragon X55 5G modem rather than moving to an integrated part and is still manufactured on a 7nm rather than a 5nm process. As such, the Snapdragon 888 maintains a healthy lead in the energy efficiency division as well as in terms of performance. There is also no Quick Charge 5, Bluetooth 5.2 or Wi-Fi 6E support with the 870.
The 3.2% increase in clock speed is the only difference compared to the last generation Snapdragon 865 Plus.
In fact, the 870 is based entirely on last year’s Snapdragon 865 Plus. The only difference is the increase in Prime CPU clock speed. From 3.1 GHz in the 865 Plus to 3.2 GHz in the 870, which is a fairly small change of 3.2%. Remember, the Snapdragon 865 Plus was just a faster version of the Snapdragon 865. This means that the Snapdragon 870’s feature set will be completely picked up from 2020.
That said, the Snapdragon 865 Plus offers a 10% CPU and GPU improvement over the Snapdragon 865. The Snapdragon 870 still benefits from the performance improvement over a number of 2020 flagship devices that are not the Plus chipset. variant does not contain. We have not seen too many Snapdragon 865 Plus smartphones launched in 2020, so the Snapdragon 870 will still offer a small performance improvement over a number of the latter devices. Although it is not close to the 30-40% performance improvements that the Snapdragon 888 promised.
See also: Analysis – Qualcomm has just spent $ 1.4 billion to compete with Apple’s Arm laptops
Do I have to buy a phone with a Snapdragon 870 inside?
There is much more to an amazing smartphone experience than just the processor, so we are hesitant to make any recommendations based on the chip alone. Unless you want the best performance and an integrated 5G modem package. In which case, the Snapdragon 888 is the right way.
On paper, the Snapdragon 870 is a fine processor, but it’s really just a new brand of the latest generation of technology. Granted, we had no reason to complain about the features of 2020’s smartphones, and this chip will perform well in 2021. Just be aware that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870, despite the new name, offers performance, features and energy efficiency. which was already available in 2020. So do not upgrade from a latest generation flagship to a performance-only Snapdragon 870 device.
The Snapdragon 870 can help build affordable flagships with last-generation performance.
Nevertheless, the Snapdragon 870 remains an interesting option. We are past the point that smartphone performance is good enough. Instead, the price becomes increasingly preferable to the number crunch. The Snapdragon 870 can fit nicely into the growing gap between the Snapdragon 765G and the ultra-premium Snapdragon 888 – provided Qualcomm competitively prices the chip.
Despite the latest generation of credentials, manufacturers can certainly build good phones based on the Snapdragon 870. We’ll just have to wait and see what kind of value ban they offer. Stay tuned for device announcements in Q2 2021.