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Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is the newer chip and generally leads in reported CPU and graphics comparisons, but benchmark results do not point to one universal winner. Qualcomm’s own figures are generational claims, while independent sites report results from different phone samples. If you are choosing a phone, compare the exact handset as well as its processor.
Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 vs Gen 4: key specifications
Qualcomm announced Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 on September 6, 2022, and Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 on February 12, 2025. Qualcomm lists both platforms as 4 nm and gives Gen 4 a maximum CPU speed of up to 2.3 GHz, compared with up to 2.2 GHz for Gen 1. The listed modem systems are Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF System for Gen 4 and Snapdragon X62 5G Modem-RF System for Gen 1.
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| Specification | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | September 6, 2022 | February 12, 2025 |
| Process | 4 nm, per Qualcomm | 4 nm, per Qualcomm |
| Maximum CPU speed | Up to 2.2 GHz, per Qualcomm | Up to 2.3 GHz, per Qualcomm |
| Modem system | Snapdragon X62 5G Modem-RF System, per Qualcomm | Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF System, per Qualcomm |
| CPU core arrangement | Four cores up to 2.2 GHz and four up to 1.8 GHz, according to NanoReview | One core up to 2.3 GHz, three up to 2.2 GHz, and four up to 1.8 GHz, according to NanoReview |
The core arrangements in the final row are third-party specifications from NanoReview; Qualcomm’s cited product-page text does not confirm those details. See Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 specifications, Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 specifications, and NanoReview’s comparison.
What the benchmark comparisons show
Available comparisons favor Gen 4 in their reported Geekbench results, but they disagree on AnTuTu. These are publisher-reported results from different datasets and phone samples—not scores from one controlled test of two otherwise identical phones.
#1 Best Overall
- Designed to Be Repaired, Not Replaced: The Fairphone Gen. 6+ is built around a 12-part modular design, so you can swap the battery, screen, speaker, or cameras yourself with just a screwdriver instead of replacing the whole phone. It's backed by a hardware warranty of up to five years and software support through 2033.
- Smooth Performance, Serious Durability: Powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 and 12GB RAM, keeping apps fast and multitasking smooth. The 120Hz OLED display makes scrolling feel buttery, not choppy, and Gorilla Glass 7i plus IP55 splash-resistant means it can handle what your last phone couldn't. There's 256GB built in (expandable up to 2TB), so you're never trading photos for space.
- Less Noise, More You: Fairphone Moments lets you switch between full Android and a distraction-free mode with up to five essential apps of your choice. Working, traveling, or spending time with the people who matter - you decide what shows up on your screen, and what stays out of reach.
- US Carrier Compatibility: This Android smartphone supports AT&T and T-Mobile, and supported MVNOs on those networks. It is not supported on Verizon or Verizon-network MVNOs. 5G speeds require a 5G-enabled SIM/eSIM and supporting data plan, and availability varies by carrier and location.
- Google's Gemini AI Assistant, Built In: Use Gemini Live to identify what's in front of your camera, summarize the group chats you're behind on, or plan your day. Not interested in AI? You can easily toggle it off. Your phone, your call.
| Source and benchmark | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 | What it indicates |
|---|---|---|---|
| NanoReview, AnTuTu 11 | 737,054 | 975,254 | Gen 4 scores higher in this comparison. |
| NanoReview, Geekbench 6 single-core / multi-core | 930 / 2,700 | 1,087 / 3,148 | Gen 4 scores higher in both reported tests. |
| NanoReview, PCMark 3.0 | 11,988 | 11,789 | Gen 1 scores slightly higher in this comparison. |
| 91mobiles, AnTuTu total | 846,599 | 764,410 | Gen 1 scores higher, opposite to NanoReview’s AnTuTu ordering. |
| 91mobiles, Geekbench single-core / multi-core | 948 / 2,764 | 1,100 / 3,097 | Gen 4 scores higher in both reported tests. |
Results and score versions are source-specific; do not combine these numbers into a single ranking or assume they predict the score of every phone. NanoReview also notes different numbers of phone models in its samples. The comparisons are useful as directional evidence, not as a substitute for testing the exact device. See NanoReview and 91mobiles.
How to interpret Qualcomm’s performance claims
Qualcomm says Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 offers 11% improved CPU performance and up to 29% better GPU performance against the previous generation. Qualcomm identifies Geekbench v6.2 single-core as the CPU basis and GFXBench Aztec Ruins as the GPU basis. These are Qualcomm’s generational claims, not results from a disclosed, directly controlled comparison between a Gen 1 phone and a Gen 4 phone.
Rank #2
- Designed to Be Repaired, Not Replaced: The Fairphone Gen. 6+ is built around a 12-part modular design, so you can swap the battery, screen, speaker, or cameras yourself with just a screwdriver instead of replacing the whole phone. It's backed by a hardware warranty of up to five years and software support through 2033.
- Smooth Performance, Serious Durability: Powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 and 12GB RAM, keeping apps fast and multitasking smooth. The 120Hz OLED display makes scrolling feel buttery, not choppy, and Gorilla Glass 7i plus IP55 splash-resistant means it can handle what your last phone couldn't. There's 256GB built in (expandable up to 2TB), so you're never trading photos for space.
- Less Noise, More You: Fairphone Moments lets you switch between full Android and a distraction-free mode with up to five essential apps of your choice. Working, traveling, or spending time with the people who matter - you decide what shows up on your screen, and what stays out of reach.
- A Phone That Matches Your Values: The Fairphone contains 51% fair and recycled materials by total weight, is assembled using renewable energy, and supports living wages for factory workers. Robust everyday performance, without pretending the supply chain doesn't matter.
- US Carrier Compatibility: This Android smartphone supports AT&T and T-Mobile, and supported MVNOs on those networks. It is not supported on Verizon or Verizon-network MVNOs. 5G speeds require a 5G-enabled SIM/eSIM and supporting data plan, and availability varies by carrier and location.
Qualcomm also reports 12% power savings from internal testing. It cautions that battery life varies by device, settings, usage, and other features, so that figure should not be read as a guaranteed battery-life increase in a retail phone. Details and qualifications are in Qualcomm’s Gen 4 announcement.
Which chip is better for gaming?
Gen 4 is the stronger starting point on paper: Qualcomm claims up to 29% better GPU performance than the previous generation, and its announcement highlights gaming features. But that does not guarantee a particular game will run at a higher frame rate or stay smooth for longer on every Gen 4 phone. Cooling, sustained power limits, display resolution, software, and the phone maker’s implementation all affect real gameplay. Look for reviews of the exact handset that test the games and settings you care about.
Rank #3
- Designed to Be Repaired, Not Replaced: The Fairphone Gen 6+ is built around a 12-part modular design, so you can swap the battery, screen, speaker, or cameras yourself with just a screwdriver instead of replacing the whole phone. It's backed by a hardware warranty of up to five years and software support through 2033.
- Smooth Performance, Serious Durability: Powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 and 12GB RAM, keeping apps fast and multitasking smooth. The 120Hz OLED display makes scrolling feel buttery, not choppy, and Gorilla Glass 7i plus IP55 splash-resistant means it can handle what your last phone couldn't. There's 256GB built in (expandable up to 2TB), so you're never trading photos for space.
- Less Noise, More You: Fairphone Moments lets you switch between full Android and a distraction-free mode with up to five essential apps of your choice. Working, traveling, or spending time with the people who matter - you decide what shows up on your screen, and what stays out of reach.
- A Phone That Matches Your Values: The Fairphone contains 51% fair and recycled materials by total weight, is assembled using renewable energy, and supports living wages for factory workers. Robust everyday performance, without pretending the supply chain doesn't matter.
- US Carrier Compatibility: This Android smartphone supports AT&T and T-Mobile, and supported MVNOs on those networks. It is not supported on Verizon or Verizon-network MVNOs. 5G speeds require a 5G-enabled SIM/eSIM and supporting data plan, and availability varies by carrier and location.
Platform features are not guaranteed phone features
Qualcomm’s announcements describe capabilities available to phone makers, not a promise that every handset will include every feature. Gen 1’s announcement highlights a triple ISP, photo capture up to 200 MP, computational HDR video, Snapdragon X62 5G, and Wi-Fi 6E. Gen 4’s announcement highlights gaming features, photo capture up to 200 MP, 5G, and Wi-Fi 6/6E. The manufacturer determines which supported capabilities appear in a finished phone.
Check the device’s own specifications for its camera configuration, wireless standards, supported bands, and other features. A platform capability such as support for 200 MP capture does not establish the resolution or quality of a specific phone’s camera. See Qualcomm’s Gen 1 announcement and Gen 4 announcement.
Rank #4
- 6.7" Super HD, 1220x2712px, 446ppi, AMOLED, 10-bit, 120Hz Refresh rate, 3000nits Peak brightness, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB ROM, 8GB RAM, Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm), Octa-core, Adreno 710 GPU, Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 13MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), Front Camera: 32MP, f/2.2 (wide), Bluetooth 5.4
- 3G UMTS: 850/900/1700/1900/2100MHz, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/25/26/29/30/38/40/41/48/66/70/71/77/78, 5G: 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/25/26/29/30/38/40/41/48/66/70/71/77/78 - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- Carrier unlocked US Model – Global Connectivity – Plug & Play with an ACTIVE SIM on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most U.S. carriers. New activations are only supported on T-Mobile, AT&T, & Verizon in the U.S., as many carriers may not recognize Carrier Unlocked IMEI's as Compatible. NOT compatible with Xfinity. Carrier unlocked device may retain original carrier logo on start up, while being fully unlocked
How to choose between phones using these processors
Processor generation is one input, not a complete buying decision. 91mobiles lists the iQOO Z9x and vivo T3x among phones using Gen 1, and the realme P3 and OPPO K13 5G among phones using Gen 4. Availability and specifications can differ by region and configuration, so verify the exact model and regional SKU before comparing listings.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Check the complete configuration: compare RAM, storage, screen, and battery on the exact variants being sold.
- Look for sustained-load testing: a short benchmark score does not show how a phone behaves after extended gaming or other demanding use; check device reviews for thermal behavior.
- Compare software support: confirm the manufacturer’s stated update policy for the specific model rather than inferring it from the chip.
- Use like-for-like benchmark results: check the benchmark version and the handset used, and treat results from different comparison pages as separate datasets.
- Compare local value: prices and configurations are market-specific; check current local listings rather than assuming one chip makes every phone the better buy.
The available chip comparisons do not establish current local prices, software-support duration, or device-by-device thermal performance. Those are handset-level questions.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
