Exploring the New Snapdragon 865 Chipset: A Review of Its Performance and Limitations

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, unveiled on December 4, 2019, is an 8-core processor built on a 7-nanometer process technology. It's designed to deliver superior performance and energy efficiency, but how does it perform in real-world scenarios?

Overview of the Snapdragon 865 Chipset

The Snapdragon 865 employs an advanced architecture with one core running at 2.84 GHz (Kryo 585 Prime Cortex-A77), three cores running at 2.42 GHz (Kryo 585 Gold Cortex-A77), and four cores at 1.8 GHz (Kryo 585 Silver Cortex-A55). This configuration offers a mix of performance and efficiency to cater to a wide range of applications.

CPU Specifications

Architecture Core Frequency (MHz) 1x 2.84 GHz Kryo 585 Prime Cortex-A77 2840 MHz 3x 2.42 GHz Kryo 585 Gold Cortex-A77 2420 MHz 4x 1.8 GHz Kryo 585 Silver Cortex-A55 1800 MHz

Memory and Connectivity

The Snapdragon 865 supports LPDDR5 memory with a frequency of 2750 MHz, which significantly boosts data transfer rates. It features a X55 5G modem for blazing-fast speeds of up to 2000 Mbps download and 316 Mbps upload. The chipset supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 standards, providing seamless connectivity.

Graphics and Multimedia

The Adreno 650 GPU in the Snapdragon 865 is equipped with 512 shading units, capable of 1228 gigaflops of processing power. This makes it very efficient for graphics-intensive tasks, including gaming and video playback. The chipset supports video capture and playback in 8K and 4K resolutions, catering to modern high-resolution multimedia needs.

Real-World Performance

Despite its impressive specifications, user reviews suggest that the Snapdragon 865 faces some challenges in practical usage. The processors from different smartphone brands have reported similar battery drain issues, especially when used for gaming at high settings.

My friends who have used Snapdragon 865-based smartphones have reported that their batteries deplete much faster than expected. For instance, in high settings, a smartphone with a 4000 mAH battery might only last an hour. This is particularly concerning for a high-end chipset that demands significant power performance.

Pros and Cons of the Snapdragon 865

Pros

Excellent CPU and GPU performance Advanced 5G and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity Support for high-resolution displays and cameras

Cons

Significant battery drain, especially in gaming scenarios Higher energy consumption may require portable charging devices

Conclusion

While the Snapdragon 865 offers remarkable performance and features, it falls short in areas where power efficiency is paramount, such as gaming. Users might need to carry additional charging devices to support prolonged usage.

However, for users who prioritize traditional power consumption and don't frequently engage in high-intensity gaming, the Snapdragon 865 remains a powerful choice. Its capabilities in areas such as 5G and multimedia playback are unmatched, making it suitable for various devices and scenarios.