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Qualcomm's newest platforms—the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 and the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4—are engineered to push entry-level and mid-range phones further than before. Slated to appear in 2026 devices, these chips focus on faster everyday performance, smarter imaging, and longer battery life for budget smartphones.
Two chips, two priorities: performance and efficiency
Both silicon families aim to close the gap between affordable handsets and pricier flagships, but they take different approaches. The 6s 4G Gen 2 leans into higher sustained speeds and graphics, while the 4 Gen 4 targets power efficiency and battery-friendly features. Together, they show Qualcomm doubling down on the value segment.
Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2: punchy performance for value phones
The Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 brings a Kryo CPU that can hit up to 2.9GHz and an upgraded Adreno GPU for smoother visuals. It supports 120fps playback on Full HD Plus displays, which reduces stutter in games and video. Imaging is a headline feature too: the platform can handle cameras up to 108 megapixels and capture from multiple lenses simultaneously, enabling richer photo and video workflows on cheaper devices.
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Qualcomm has also improved on-device AI to make voice assistants more responsive and to clean up microphone input with better echo and noise handling. In short, the 6s 4G Gen 2 is designed to make everyday tasks feel more fluid on budget hardware.
Snapdragon 4 Gen 4: efficiency, battery life and cleaner low-light shots
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 is built around a Kryo CPU clocked to about 2.3GHz and an Adreno GPU capable of driving 120fps on supported screens. Like its sibling, it supports 108MP sensors, but it adds hardware-level multi-frame noise reduction to improve low-light photography without relying solely on software tricks.
Battery- and charging-focused upgrades are notable here. The chip supports Quick Charge 4 Plus, which Qualcomm says can boost a phone from zero to around 50 percent in roughly 15 minutes. Add 5G and Wi-Fi enhancements, and you get a chipset tuned for longer real-world runtimes and faster connectivity in entry-level phones.
Why this matters for shoppers and manufacturers
Imagine a $200 to $300 phone that charges fast, takes decent low-light photos, and runs popular games at higher frame rates. That’s the promise these platforms bring. For OEMs, the new silicon offers a competitive roadmap to pack more features into budget models without inflating costs.
- Improved CPU and GPU performance for smoother UI and gaming
- 108MP camera support and multi-lens capture on affordable phones
- Hardware noise reduction for better night shots on the 4 Gen 4
- Faster charging with Quick Charge 4 Plus and enhanced connectivity
Qualcomm’s move is also strategic: by strengthening its mid-range and entry-level lineup, the company keeps pressure on competitors and gives consumers more choices. Expect the first handsets with these chips to arrive throughout 2026, bringing flagship-style features to lower price tiers.
Source: gizmochina
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