Comparison of snapdragon 801 and 625. MediaTek Helio X20 or Snapdragon? Chipset comparison

Qualcomm can safely be called the market leader in microprocessors for smartphones. Most leading brands use its products in their devices, and in terms of performance, even mid-range Snapdragons often surpass top-end chipsets from MediaTek.

The company classifies the Snapdragon processor lineup into 3 groups: 400 series – entry-level solutions for budget smartphones, 600 series – mid-level processors, 800 series – top-end chips for flagship devices.

In this article, we will figure out what is better than Snapdragon 625 vs 650, whether the difference between these processors is felt at all during everyday use of a smartphone, and which chipset is better for mobile gaming fans to choose.

Snapdragon 650 vs Snapdragon 625

The 650 Dragon has been on the market for quite a long time, it was introduced in February 2015 under the number 618, but was subsequently renamed and took the top position in the middle class. Snapdragon 625 is a chipset announced in mid-2016; the solution is new, but has already been well tested and has earned many positive reviews.

What's better? Let's start the comparison with basic technical characteristics. Snapdragon 650 – made using a 28 nm process technology and built on 6 cores, of which 2 high-performance Cortex A72 (1.8 GHz) and 4 energy-efficient Cortex A53 (1.4 GHz). The chipset is equipped with an Adreno 510 graphics accelerator, capable of delivering performance of about 180 gigaflops. The data exchange speed of the built-in LTE modem (X8) can reach up to 300 Mb/s, there is support for NFC, Bluetooth 4.1 and USB 2.0 interfaces, and fast charging is also possible.

Snapdragon 625 is an 8-core chip made using a more modern 14mm process technology, which provides better energy efficiency and less heat. It consists of 8 Cortex A53 cores, overclocked to a clock speed of 2.0 GHz. The chip is equipped with a weaker Adreno 506 graphics accelerator (performance up to 130 gigaflops), but it also benefits in terms of support for wireless interfaces, as it has a fresh LTE X9 modem and USB 3.0, and there is also support for NFC with fast charging.

The most objective way to compare 2 different processors is to compare them based on the results of synthetic tests. We have the following indicators:

As you can see, the 625 Dragon surpasses the 650 only in overall performance in GeekBench (the test does not take into account the graphics part), where 8 Cortex A-53 cores make themselves felt. However, in all tests related to 3D graphics, due to the more powerful video accelerator, the Snapdragon 650 has the upper hand. And this is precisely what is more important in practice.

The conclusion is simple - if you like to play resource-intensive 3D games, then it makes sense to choose a smartphone with the 650 Dragon, it will provide better gaming performance. The difference between the chipsets is not that big. It will be possible to launch and play the heaviest games without any problems on the Snapdragon 625, the differences are only in the ability to set the best graphics settings, have smaller FPS drawdowns in difficult scenes, and also not so often encounter various micro-freezes and stutters, which together determines the comfort of gaming.

During everyday use of the smartphone, the performance of both processors will be sufficient, and without playing games you will not notice the difference between them. Both chipsets have proven themselves well, including due to minimal susceptibility to heating and throttling.

To sum up the battle between Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 650, we give the championship belt to the 650-Dragon as the most powerful processor that can be found in relatively inexpensive smartphones today, but we recognize that the needs of the average user can be equally satisfied by both chipsets.

The best smartphones with Snapdragon 650

Xioami is known for its commitment to the Snapdragon 650, which has released many successful smartphones based on this chip, which have gained popularity due to their excellent price/quality ratio.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro

RN3P is one of the best-selling smartphones in the world in 2016, which will not lose its consumer appeal in the foreseeable future. For 11 thousand rubles you will get a luxurious device with a powerful processor and 32/3 GB of memory, a large and high-quality 5.5'' IPS Full HD screen, 16/5 MP cameras and a capacious battery that lasts for 2-3 days of full use of the smartphone .

There are not so many disadvantages - mediocre image quality, lack of NFC and not the fastest fingerprint scanner. However, for its price, this is an excellent smartphone that we definitely recommend for purchase.

Xiaomi Mi Max

Mi Max is a huge phablet with a 6.44-inch screen that can boast excellent battery life (4850 mAh battery), performance (Snapdragon 650 + 32/3GB + Micro SD) and an affordable price. If the prospect of using a slightly reduced tablet as a phone doesn’t scare you, then you can take it - there aren’t many alternatives to the Mi Max.

Disadvantages - frankly bad cameras (however, it is possible to use camera2api for shooting in RAW, which slightly corrects the situation) and not the most attractive design. Price – from 12 thousand rubles.

The best smartphones with Snapdragon 625

A huge number of smartphones have been released on Snapdragon 625, which once again confirms the opinion that the chipset turned out to be extremely successful. The best in our opinion are.

Nubia Z11 Mini S

The Z11 Mini S is one of the best camera phones in the mid-price segment and is simply a beautiful gadget with balanced characteristics. The smartphone has a 5.2’’ Full HD IPS screen, 64/4 GB of expandable memory, a 23 MP main camera and a 13 MP front camera (there is 4K video recording), and a 3000 mAh battery.

Disadvantages - crude Nubia UI shell and mediocre earpiece. Price – from 17 thousand rubles.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

Redmi 4 Prime is average with a powerful processor and a high-quality FHD screen. The smartphone is made in a metal case with a fingerprint scanner, has 32/3 GB of memory + a slot for Micro-SD, and a thick 4010 mAh battery.

If you order from China, you can get a smartphone for $130, while our prices for the device start at 10 thousand rubles, which puts it on par with the Redmi Note 3 Pro. If the size of the RN3P scares you, then the Redmi 4 would be a great option to buy. In terms of the totality of characteristics, it has few competitors.

Huawei Nova

Huawei Nova is a balanced mid-level device with NFC working in Russia. Among the advantages are a high-quality 5’’ FHD display, good 12/8 MP cameras, interesting design and excellent build quality. Disadvantages - price (from 20 thousand), mediocre battery life (3020 mAh battery) and lack of fast charging.

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Comparison of Snapdragon 435 and 625 processors in terms of phone speed and battery life. Which is better for everyday needs, which smartphones are better for gaming?

The Snapdragon 435 and Snapdragon 625 processors are aimed at different segments of the mobile phone market. The first is installed in smartphones that can be safely, or with some reservations, as in the case of the LG Q6, classified as a budget segment. The second one appears more often in devices in the mid-price range. Comparing similar chipsets is quite easy, since the benchmarks make it clear who is in charge and which processor is better.

In the proposed comparison of Snapdragon 435 and 625, we will show the real balance of power in the benchmarks and explain what causes the existing difference. We will compare the participants based on the computing power of the central processing unit (CPU), the potential of the graphics adapter, as well as the efficiency of working with the battery. A comparison of phone autonomy will show how long Xiaomi smartphones with almost identical batteries but different processors will last on a single charge.

Snapdragon 435: characteristics

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940 processor is a slightly improved version of the previous model - Snapdragon 430. There are no fundamental differences between the chipsets, the Americans simply replaced the modem with a newer one (Cat 13/7), leaving the core architecture and their clock frequency the same.

The Snapdragon 435 MSM8940 is built on eight reference Cortex-A53 cores. These are cores with low or medium processing power (depending on the clock speed). In the specifications of mobile phones you can often find the characteristic Snapdragon 435 octa-core. The term octa-core emphasizes that the processor is eight-core, although if the chip model is indicated, such a clarification is redundant.

From an architectural point of view, there are no differences from the S625. The Snapdragon 625 is an eight-core processor built on the same Cortex-A53 cores, but when comparing clock speeds we see a huge difference. If in the 625th Dragon the cores are overclocked to 2.0 GHz, then in the 435th model the maximum clock frequency is limited to 1.4 GHz. It turns out that the S435 will be about 30% slower than its opponent.

The difference in clock speeds is a direct consequence of the manufacturing process. The S625 chipset is made according to the 14 nm process technology. This means that it is less susceptible to heating and, accordingly, can remain stable when operating at higher frequencies. It is appropriate to note that it is critical heating under load that forces the processor to limit the operating frequency.

S435 is produced according to the standards of the now outdated 28 nm process technology. It is much more susceptible to heating, which is why the maximum clock frequency should be lower. This is what we see when directly comparing Snapdragon 625 and 435.

The technical process affects another important characteristic of the processor - its energy efficiency. The finer the technical process, the more economically the chipset consumes the battery, and the longer the mobile phone lasts on a single charge. The Snapdragon 625 uses a more refined manufacturing process, which automatically improves the autonomy of devices running on it. The proof of this will be in the second part of the article, when we move from theory to tests of mobile phones.

Graphics accelerators in Snapdragon 435 and 625 processors are of the same generation, although of different versions. One might assume that the performance in games would be comparable, but this is not the case, since the overall processing power of the 435 Dragon is significantly lower, and this affects the framerate. But it’s better not to rush to conclusions here, since when choosing a cheap gaming smartphone you have to take into account an additional factor - screen resolution. More about this below in the text.

So, the Snapdragon 435 MSM8940 processor has modest characteristics. It is inferior to its rival in the clock speed of the CPU cores and in the manufacturing process. Let's see how the lag affects the performance of smartphones running Snapdragon 435 and Snapdragon 625.

Snapdragon 435 or Snapdragon 625: which is better in benchmarks?

For comparison, in the benchmarks we selected 3-4 phones each with the processors we were interested in. It would be possible to take more devices, but this would not affect the overall picture in any way, so we decided not to load the diagrams with additional (and redundant in this case) information.

Snapdragon 435 phones unveiled

Their opponents today will be the following models on Snapdragon 625:

Moto G5s Plus

First, let's compare the processing power of the Snapdragon 625 and 435 CPU. This parameter affects the smoothness of the operating system, the speed of installation, operation and launch of applications, the stability of applications, as well as many other processes, including the speed of autofocus or HDR in the smartphone camera.

To compare CPUs, the GeekBench benchmark is traditionally used. The overall speed of the phone is assessed in the Antutu benchmark. The numbers are in front of you on the diagrams, and immediately below them is a short summary.

GeekBench 4.1 (multi-core)

GeekBench 4.1 (single-core)

Snapdragon 435 in AnTuTu 6

In GeekBench 4.1, the Snapdragon 625 is twice as fast as its competitor in multitasking mode. In single-core mode, the gap between processors is not so great, but it is impossible not to notice it. As for Antutu, here the overall picture emerges completely: in the Snapdragon 435 vs 625 pair, the processor with a higher number is 29-32% faster than the competitor, that is, as we predicted.

Gaming speed

Which devices can claim to be an inexpensive gaming smartphone - Snapdragon 435 or 625? The question may seem rhetorical at this point, but it’s not that simple. Let's check the balance of power in the 3D benchmark GFX 3.1. Perhaps we will get a slightly different picture?

GFX 3.1 Manhattan (1080p offscreen)

When simulating on smartphones of the same resolution (1080p), the advantage of the 625 is beyond doubt. However, this is where an additional parameter comes into play in the form of screen resolution. Most S625 smartphones have a FullHD screen, which increases the load on the graphics adapter. Smartphones powered by Snapdragon 435 are more varied: there are both models with FullHD screens and devices with a lower resolution of 720 by 1280 pixels.

And here the picture changes. At HD resolution, the Snapdragon 435 is ahead of the competition. This does not mean that the processor is more powerful. Simply due to less load on the graphics adapter, the device can produce a higher and more stable frame rate in games.

GFX 3.1 Manhattan (onscreen)

It turns out that if you are looking for a budget (truly budget) gaming smartphone, and are willing to turn a blind eye to the lack of overall processing power, Snapdragon 435 phones may be the best choice, provided that they have an HD screen (720 x 1280 resolution) . Just in case, we have prepared a list of such devices.

Snapdragon 435 list of phones with HD screen:

Xiaomi Redmi 4X
Huawei Enjoy 6s
ZTE Nubia M2 Play
Oppo A57

These S435 smartphones are really inexpensive and can provide good frame rates in games. The only thing we should warn you about is that the autonomy of the device will leave much to be desired, and this will be discussed in the next part of the comparative review of processors.

Autonomy

If the autonomy of your smartphone comes first for you, you should definitely choose a device based on the S625. Proof of this is a comparison of the operating time on a single charge of two Xiaomi phones - Redmi 4X and Redmi 5 Plus. With the same battery capacity, Redmi 5 Plus on S625 lasts longer, and this despite the 6-inch screen with FullHD+ resolution. Even with the screen active, it drains battery power more slowly, which perfectly illustrates the superiority of the 625 Dragon in this matter.

Autonomy of smartphones on Snapdragon 435 and 625.

	Redmi 4X (S435)	Redmi 5 Plus (S625)
Battery	4100 mAh	4000 mAh
Autonomy rating	80 hours	104 hours
3G calls	19:38	22:16
Internet	11:37	13:36
Video	12:00	14:13

Comparison results between Snapdragon 435 and 625

So, in a pair of Snapdragon 435 vs 625 processors, which is better? Definitely better than Snapdragon 625. It is faster, smartphones with this processor have better battery life. But if you want to play games on the new phone, keep in mind that the S625 is installed in phones with a screen resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, while the Snapdragon 435 can be found in cheaper models with an HD display. A lower resolution will provide higher frame rates in games, although detail will have to be sacrificed in this situation. On the other hand, you can take the S625 model and reduce the resolution to HD in the settings.

The choice is always yours, but we hope that the material turned out to be useful and informative. Thank you for your attention, we are always glad to see you on the pages of Five-Inches!

According to reports from analysts and smartphone manufacturers themselves, the greatest demand is not for flagships or budget phones, but for balanced mid-range models. Therefore, a serious struggle is flaring up in this price category, which includes chipset manufacturers. At the beginning of 2016, Qualcomm introduced the first 600 series chip based on the 14 nm process technology - Snapdragon 625. Around the same time, MediaTek showed the world the first ten-core processor for mobile technology - Helio X20 (MT6797). In the model range of the Taiwanese developer, it is pre-top (only the overclocked modification of Helio X25 is cooler), but in terms of price and capabilities it belongs to the average level.

Quite a few smartphones have been released based on both chipsets. The brainchild of Qualcomm attracted the interest of both the leader, Samsung, and the Chinese companies Lenovo and Xiaomi. The MediaTek chipset also turned out to be popular, but the leaders reacted more coolly to it. But Xiaomi, Meizu, LeEco and smaller Chinese companies have created a good selection of suitable gadgets with it inside. To find out which chipset is better, let's look at their pros and cons in more detail.

Pros and cons of Helio x20

Pros:

Flexible multi-cluster CPU configuration. The Helio x20 chipset contains 10 cores grouped into 3 clusters. The first consists of a pair of high-frequency (2.1 GHz) Cortex A72, designed for heavy tasks that can only load 1 or 2 cores. The second one includes 4 Cortex A53 with a high frequency (1.85 GHz), for multi-threaded tasks, and is characterized by reduced consumption. The third cluster is identical to the second, but operates at reduced frequencies (1.4 GHz) to further save battery. Dynamic switching between cores, depending on the current task, allows you to select the optimal balance between performance and power consumption.
Dual channel memory controller. The chipset is equipped with a dual-channel memory controller, which theoretically makes the Helio x20 faster when launching and switching between programs, as well as when processing background tasks.
Powerful screen controller. The MediaTek chipset is equipped with a display controller that supports QHD resolution (up to 2560x1600 pixels), as well as FullHD operation with an image refresh rate of 120 Hz. Such characteristics are closer to flagships and make smartphones based on Helio x20 more suitable for viewing high-definition content and working with virtual reality.
Price. MediaTek has gained market share through low prices, and its chips are still relatively cheap. Thanks to this, Chinese manufacturers were able to initially offer smartphones with it at an attractive price.

Minuses:

Problems with autonomy. In theory and in the infographics of MediaTek marketers, the multi-cluster configuration looks attractive, but in practice, not everything is so smooth. The system does not always correctly assess the load and activate the most optimal CPU configuration, which can lead to rapid charge consumption and heating. For example, in applications for which 4 A53 cores are enough, A72 cores may be unreasonably used, which in this situation are excessively power-hungry.
Heat dissipation. Helio x20 is produced using a 20 nm process technology, which, although not the worst option today, is inferior to 14 and 16 nm in terms of energy efficiency. Yes, and integrated MediaTek modems consume more than Qualcomm. Because of this (and also because of not always high-quality software optimization on the part of Chinese developers), smartphones based on the Helio x20 chipset tend to overheat and reduce performance under prolonged load.
Problems with OS update. MediaTek is famous for its special, selective attitude towards supporting manufacturers. It’s not uncommon for budget chipsets to have a new version of Android and drivers released just a couple of months after the release of Google’s OS (as was the case with the MT6737), and for top-end chipsets they “wait for three years for what was promised.” Previously, only a couple of HTC models received Android 6 for Helio x10, and Android 7 for Helio x20 owners have been waiting for six months. There has been no visible progress in this regard yet, which is not encouraging.

Pros and cons of Snapdragon 625

Pros:

Fine technical process. The Snapdragon 625 chipset is manufactured using the thinnest and most modern (of those mass-produced, as of March 2017) 14 nm process technology. Due to this, it is characterized by low energy consumption and low heat generation.
High frequency. All Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 cores have an ARM Cortex A53 microarchitecture, are not divided into groups, and operate at frequencies up to 2 GHz. The frequency changes dynamically, depending on the load. This provides high processing speed for tasks optimized for multi-threaded computing.
USB 3.0 support. Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 supports USB 3.0, which provides high connection speed when working with OTG flash drives, external SSDs and other accessories.
Powerful modem. The Snapdragon 625 integrates a communication module that supports all current communication standards, up to LTE Cat 7. It is capable of working with any frequency range and ensuring the simultaneous activity of two SIM cards in LTE networks.

Minuses:

Cortex A53 architecture. The Cortex A53 microarchitecture strikes a balance between high performance and low power consumption. Its specific performance per clock is significantly lower than that of the A72, so in tasks requiring 1-2 fast cores, the Snapdragon 625 will be noticeably inferior to the MT6797.
A more modest screen controller. The display controller in the Snapdragon 625 chipset is capable of operating only in FullHD (up to 1920x1200 pixels) and only with a refresh rate of up to 60 Hz. If you use a smartphone for VR, this may not be enough; as a result, your eyes will get tired faster.
Adreno 506 GPU may be inferior to Mali T880 MP4. The theoretical graphics performance of Qualcomm Adreno 506 is higher than that of Mali T880 MP4 in MT6797. However, due to better software optimization for Mali, the MediaTek chip can outperform its opponent if its temperatures are normal.

Results

To visually summarize and decide which is better than Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 or MediaTek Helio X20, let’s summarize the key parameters and features of the chipsets in a table. The SoC on the side of which there is an advantage in the selected item receives a plus, the lagging side receives a minus.

Based on the comparison, several conclusions can be drawn. So, in terms of performance, the Helio x20 has more potential than the Snapdragon 625. In theory, it is faster, has a powerful processor, and supports QHD screens. However, in practice, all these advantages are offset by the tendency to overheat, and the actual performance of both chipsets is approximately at the same level. Even a dual-channel memory controller doesn't help.

Considering the unpleasant issue with overheating, as well as the clear advantages of the Qualcomm chipset in terms of modem and communications, we can conclude that the Snapdragon 625 is more balanced. The situation with OS updates is also not on MTK’s side. Its visual illustration is Xiaomi smartphones. The first Redmi Note 4 (on MTK) has not yet received updates to Android 7, and it is not known for sure (at the official level) whether there will be any. But for (on Qualcomm) - the beta version of the seven for testers appeared back in January, shortly after the presentation of this smartphone on the Indian market. So if updates are important to you, the Snapdragon 625 is clearly better.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X

The cheapest smartphone with Snapdragon 625. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X was introduced at the beginning of this year, quickly becoming one of the best-selling solutions on the market. The same accessibility captivates users. At the same time, the smartphone has good equipment for its price. The efficient Snapdragon 625 is combined with 3 or 4 GB of RAM, which ensures good multitasking and gaming performance, while the 4100 mAh battery guarantees excellent battery life. At the user's choice, the Redmi Note 4X is available for sale with a 32 or 64 GB drive.

The front panel is decorated with a classic 5.5-inch IPS display with FullHD resolution; the smartphone itself is made in a metal case. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X has only one 13-megapixel main camera with phase detection autofocus, as well as a single front module for selfies. The smartphone supports LTE networks, has a regular microUSB port, and uses the proprietary MIUI shell as an add-on for the operating system.

Huawei Nova | Nova Plus

A pair of stylish smartphones from another popular Chinese company, which were announced about a year ago. They were one of the first to receive an 8-core Snapdragon 625 as a processor. Huawei Nova is equipped with a 5-inch FullHD screen, so it boasts relatively compact dimensions, but the frames around the screen are quite wide, which is noticeable after that heap of “” that went beyond Last year. The older model received a more impressive diagonal - 5.5 inches, the resolution remained the same. The smartphone cases are made of metal; there are two versions of Huawei Nova on sale: 3+32 GB and 4+64 GB.

The main camera of the younger model is 12 megapixels, has phase autofocus, the front one has an 8 megapixel sensor. The older Plus solution received a more advanced 16 MP main sensor from Sony, and the same 8 MP one is used as the front one. Huawei Nova is equipped with a 3020 mAh battery, while the Plus has a battery capacity of 3340 mAh. Both smartphones received a fingerprint scanner, which is placed on the back. The manufacturer launched the smartphone with Android 6.0 “on board”, on top of which the proprietary EMUI shell is used. Despite their considerable age, Huawei Nova and Nova Plus remain relevant thanks to the Snapdragon 625, which provides them with about 60,000 “parrots” in the AnTuTu benchmark.

One of the most successful Meizu smartphones ever. For the first time in a long period of time, a well-known company from the Middle Kingdom has equipped its smartphone with a processor from Qualcomm, and at once such a popular model. Snapdragon 625 paired with 3 or 4 GB of RAM (depending on the version) ensures fast interface operation, as well as the ability to run the vast majority of games. The permanent memory of a smartphone can be 32 or 64 GB. The performance hasn't skimped on the battery capacity either - 4000 mAh feels great in the same case with an efficient chipset.

This is also one of the first Meizu smartphones with a dual main camera. The company installed a 12-megapixel main sensor with an f/1.9 aperture and an additional 5-megapixel sensor in the Meizu M6 Note. In good lighting, your smartphone camera takes great photos. The front 16-megapixel camera with f/2.0 aperture is also good. The screen of the Meizu M6 Note is standard for the modern smartphone market - 5.5 inches and a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. Naturally, the device supports 4G networks, and the operating system is Android Nougat and the proprietary Flyme shell. The main material of the body was metal.

Xiaomi Mi A1 | Xiaomi Mi 5X

Essentially the same smartphone. They differ only in names and operating systems. Xiaomi Mi A1 is the company's first smartphone that runs on “pure” Android, while Mi 5X received the recognizable MIUI shell. Very interesting smartphones that we reviewed ( | ), one of the features of which, as you may have guessed, is the Snapdragon 625 processor. The design of the smartphones is copied from the iPhone 7 Plus - the same metal body, similar placement of strips for antennas, identical location dual main camera.

Like the above smartphones powered by Snapdragon 625, the Xiaomi Mi A1 | Xiaomi Mi 5X screen has a diagonal of 5.5 inches with FullHD resolution. Like most of its 2017 counterparts, smartphones have 3 or 4 GB of RAM, 32 or 64 GB of storage. Like other trending solutions of the past year, Mi A1 and its twin brother have a good 12+12 MP dual camera, which is capable of taking really high-quality photos. The front camera of smartphones is the classic 5 MP. The battery is not the highest capacity (3080 mAh), but let’s not forget about the 14nm Snapdragon 625, which provides good battery life.

In many ways it is very reminiscent of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X, and in some aspects it even surpasses it. Until recently, it was somehow not popular with buyers, but they began to notice it closer to the fall of 2017 - apparently, the decrease in cost had an effect. Externally, it really looks like the analogue from Xiaomi, but it has a physical “Home” button on the front part, and it also has a built-in fingerprint scanner. The same 5.5-inch IPS screen with FullHD resolution is installed.

Like all models in our rating today, the Lenovo Vibe P2 is based on Snapdragon 625 hardware and 4 GB of RAM; the drive is available in two versions - 32 or 64 GB. The smartphone received one main camera, which is represented by a 13-megapixel sensor from Sony, as well as a single 5-megapixel front camera. The Vibe P2 shoots no worse than its key competitors. One of the advantages is a huge 5100 mAh battery - more than that of the Redmi Note 4X. In addition, the model received an interface that allows you to make contactless payments. As you can see, Lenovo Vibe P2 is a very successful solution that definitely deserves a place in the ranking of smartphones powered by Snapdragon 625.

And again Xiaomi. The Chinese company is particularly fond of the Snapdragon 625. And for good reason – smartphones based on this chipset are selling especially well, according to a number of online stores. Mi Max 2 is a continuation in the line of huge smartphones, which are commonly called phablets. The screen diagonal of Mi Max 2 reaches 6.44 inches, making it one of the largest on the market. At the same time, the model is quite elegant, has a thin metal body and good ergonomics.

The huge display has FullHD resolution, which is enough for high-quality images. The screen is covered with protective glass Gorilla Glass 4. Since it is in the ranking of the best smartphones with Snapdragon 625, it is logical that it has this particular processor. There is only one variation of RAM – 4 GB. There is a choice of 32, 64 or 128 GB of permanent memory. There is only one main camera, but a 12-megapixel Sony IMX386 is used, which guarantees good pictures, the front one of the Mi Max 2 is 5 MP. Another advantage of the smartphone is its autonomy. A huge 5300 mAh battery can provide a couple of days of battery life if you use the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 in moderate mode.

ZTE has seriously expanded its line of smartphones in recent years, becoming a fairly prominent company in the Chinese market. There are also a couple of solutions in its arsenal with a Snapdragon 625 processor. Nubia M2 is one of the most affordable among them, while offering decent characteristics. The smartphone is made in a design recognizable to the company and boasts a 5.5-inch display made using AMOLED technology. The “stuffing”, in addition to the Snapdragon 625 processor, is represented by 4 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of permanent memory.

Nubia M2 is equipped with a 16-megapixel front camera, so it should appeal to selfie lovers; the back side is decorated with a dual camera with a 13-megapixel module from Sony. The smartphone does not have the most capacious 3630 mAh battery, but the situation is partially saved by the energy-efficient Snapdragon 625 processor and AMOLED screen, which are characterized by low power consumption. In addition, Nubia M2 supports fast charging technology.

This company is unfamiliar to most users, as it works primarily for the mobile market of the Middle Kingdom. Smartisan Pro is a stylish mid-range smartphone. Externally, the model really stands out from its current analogues; the smartphone looks especially impressive in red. I received a Smartisan Pro IPS panel of 5.5 inches and a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, which is covered with protective glass from Corning.

The Snapdragon 625 processor is powered by 4 GB of RAM. The manufacturer offers the smartphone in three configurations of permanent memory: 32, 64 or 128 GB. There is a dual main camera, represented by a pair of 13-megapixel sensors, and on the front there is an 8-megapixel selfie sensor. The Smartisan Pro has a 3500 mAh battery and claims to support fast charging technology. Even though the model is little-known, it deservedly made it into the ranking of the best smartphones powered by Snapdragon 625.

Asus ZenFone 3 ZE520KL

Asus, of course, has a hard time competing with more famous brands in the mobile market, but the company regularly still produces decent smartphones. Asus ZenFone 3 ZE520KL is located in the mid-price segment, offering the chic design for which this line of the manufacturer is famous. The smartphone is equipped with a 5.2-inch FullHD screen protected by glass with a 2.5D effect. Snapdragon 625 is complemented by 3 or 4 GB of RAM, and the storage capacity is 32 or 64 GB, expandable.

Fans of mobile photography will be pleased with the 16-megapixel main camera from Sony with laser focusing; the 8-megapixel sensor on the front will not allow you to take good selfies. But the battery capacity is disappointing - only 2650 mAh. Despite the fact that the Snapdragon 625 stands out for its energy efficiency, this will not be enough for many users for long battery life.

A year ago, ZTE launched an enlarged version of its flagship, which received a not top-end, but quite productive and efficient Snapdragon 625 processor. A distinctive feature of the smartphone was a 6-inch screen with FullHD resolution, which is enclosed in a metal case. Another advantage of the ZTE Axon 7 Max is the dual main camera of 13+13 MP, the sensors are provided by Sony. 13 MP front selfie module.

The 8-core chipset from Qualcomm is paired with 4 GB of RAM, internal storage is designed for 64 GB, and it is possible to expand the storage capacity by another 256 GB using an mciroSD card. ZTE Axon 7 Max is equipped with an impressive 4100 mAh battery and supports fast charging. An undoubted advantage of the smartphone is the presence of an NFC interface.

BlackBerry KEYone

A very unusual smartphone for today’s market from a once famous company. A distinctive feature of the BlackBerry KEYone is a full-fledged physical QWERTY keyboard, which occupies part of the front side. Because of this, the screen of the smartphone has a diagonal of 4.5 inches with an aspect ratio of 3:2. "Iron" looks modern. Here we have an 8-core Snapdragon 625 processor, and 3 or all 4 GB of RAM, and 32 or 64 GB of built-in storage is offered for user files.

Even in terms of photo capabilities, the BlackBerry KEYone did not disappoint. The main camera is a 12-megapixel sensor from Sony, and for selfie fans we have an 8-megapixel front sensor. Thanks to the small screen and 14nm processor, the 3505 mAh battery will last for a decent amount of time. A nice bonus is fast charging and an interface for contactless payments.

A strong mid-ranger with the makings of a flagship from Moto, which is now a sub-brand of Lenovo. A stylish smartphone with good cameras that may be of interest to anyone who is tired of monotonous models. The Moto Z Play's body is made of aluminum alloy and glass, and on the front side there is a distinctive physical Home button, which has a built-in fingerprint scanner. The 5.5-inch AMOLED screen, covered with scratch-resistant glass, pleases with a pleasant and clear picture.

RAM 3 GB, you can choose the amount of permanent memory yourself - 32 or 64 GB. Naturally, it is based on the Snapdragon 625 chipset. The main camera is represented by a single 16-megapixel sensor from Omnivision, and there is touch focusing. The front 5-megapixel camera is complemented by an LED flash. Moto Z Play received NFC and a 3510 mAh battery. Perhaps it is one of the most expensive smartphones powered by Snapdragon 625.

Throughout the next year, smartphones powered by Snapdragon 625 will remain relevant in terms of performance. Another thing is that most of them are presented in a classic design with 16:9 screens, while the market is being captured by full-screen solutions. The situation, apparently, will be corrected by Xiaomi again by launching affordable full-screen smartphones at the end of 2017 - beginning of 2018. In the future, the Snapdragon 625 will likely be replaced by the Snapdragon 660.

Snapdragon 430 and Snapdragon 625 processors are installed in budget smartphones. Let's see which one is better in terms of characteristics, battery consumption and performance?

The Snapdragon 430 and Snapdragon 625 processors are one of the best chipsets for smartphones in the budget segment of the market. Their performance cannot be compared with today's flagships, but it is quite comparable with the top processors of 2014-2015. Additionally, unlike older chips, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 and SD 430 processors support a number of new features found in the best chips of 2016.

Snapdragon 430 processor: advantages and capabilities

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor was introduced in September 2015. Architecture - 8 ARM Cortex-A53 cores. A similar architecture is used in more advanced Snapdragon 652 and Snapdragon 810 chips. Moreover, even the top one has 4 Cortex-A53 cores! True, in new processors the cores are used as “slow” ones and are designed to solve simple tasks in energy-saving mode.

The graphics adapter of the Snapdragon 430 processor is Adreno 505. The graphics of the 500th series are found in the best Qualcomm processors - Snapdragon, and even. True, Adreno 530 and Adreno 540 are worth it, but the fact remains.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 supports cameras with a resolution of up to 21 MP and video recording in 1080p @ 30FPS. Supports Bluetooth 4.1, displays with Full HD resolution and NFC technologies (bank cards in the phone). QHD resolution is not supported, however, such displays are not installed in public sector employees.

It is imperative to highlight support for Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging (the smartphone charges up to 50% in about 30 minutes). An LTE Cat.4 modem is not the best option. Download speed is limited to 150 Mbit/sec, upload speed is limited to 50 Mbit/sec. RAM type LPDDR3 800 MHz is a disadvantage compared to flagships, but the norm for state employees.

Verdict. Thanks to Adreno 505 graphics, good core architecture and support for modern technologies, the Snapdragon 430 occupies the niche of a good budget phone with advanced capabilities.

Snapdragon 625 processor: the best budget phone of 2016

The main difference between the 625 and the 430 and other budget chips is the production technology. Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 is manufactured on a 14nm process, while all other budget chips are manufactured on a 20nm or 28nm process. That is, the performance increase and reduction in power consumption of the SD 625 is provided by default.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor appeared in the second quarter of 2016. The chipset is assembled based on the same 8 Cortex-A53 cores, but their frequency is increased to 2.0 GHz, versus 1.4 GHz for the 430 model. Progress has been achieved through the use of modern 14 nm process technology.

When performing simple tasks, the performance of the 625 is practically no different from the performance of powerful chips, the energy-saving part of which is assembled based on the same Cortex-A53 cores.

In addition, the Snapdragon 625 processor has a more advanced accelerator - Adreno 506. We also note a more modern modem - LTE Cat.7/Cat.13 (download/upload - 300/150 Mbit/s). Another 625 supports cameras up to 24 megapixels and 4K video recording at 30 frames per second. As a result, this chip outperforms the 430 model in games, web surfing, and photo and video shooting.

Verdict. Experts compare the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor not with the middling ones of 2015, but with the old hits - Snapdragon 800 and Helio P20. And in this comparison, the SD 625 looks very convincing. At the beginning of 2016, the chipset was installed even on phones from the mid-price segment, and today it can be found in the best budget phones.

Characteristics of Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 and Snapdragon 625 processors

Specifications of Snapdragon 430 and Snapdragon 625

	Qualcomm Snapdragon 430	Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
Technical process	28 nm	14 nm
Number of Cores	8	8
Processor architecture	8x ARM Cortex A53	8x ARM Cortex A53
Clock frequency	up to 1.4 GHz	up to 2.0 GHz
Graphic arts	Adreno 505	Adreno 506
RAM	LPDDR3 800 MHz	LPDDR3 993 MHz
Screen resolution	up to 1920 x 1080p	up to 1920 x 1080p
Camera	up to 21 MP	up to 24 MP
Video recording	Full HD @ 30FPS	4K Ultra HD @ 30FPS
LTE modem	Cat.4, 150/50 Mbit/s	Cat.13/Cat.7, 300/150 Mbit/s
Fast charging	Quick Charge 3.0	Quick Charge 3.0

Smartphones with Snapdragon 430 processor

– a revived legend with 4 GB of RAM, a 5.5-inch Full HD screen and 43889 points in Antutu.
Asus ZenFone 3 Laser is a promising device from the Budget+ segment with a 5.5-inch screen, 4 GB of RAM and 37851 points in Antutu.
– one of the best budget phones of 2016, equipped with a 5-inch HD display, 2 GB of RAM and a 4100 mAh battery. In Antutu, this model scored 42989 points.
– new for 2017, . The device received Android 7.0, 13/5 megapixel cameras and 2/3 GB of RAM.

Smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor

In 2016, manufacturers used the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor in smartphones from the “upper half” of the budget segment of the market:

Huawei Nova Plus is a strong middle class with a 5.5-inch Full HD display, 3 GB of RAM, a 16 MP camera, a 3340 mAh battery and 60,000 points in Antutu.
Asus ZenFone 3 ZE520KL is a very promising version of the smartphone with 4 GB of RAM, a 5.2-inch screen with a high pixel density (424 ppi) and a brightness of 600 cd/m2 (readable even in the sun). In Antutu, this average guy scored 59564 points.
Moto Z Play is another legend, restored in September 2016. In Antutu it scores 59,600 points, is equipped with a 5.5-inch Full HD screen, 3 GB of RAM and a very good 16-megapixel camera based on the Omnivision OV16860 sensor.
– the long-awaited continuation of the legendary brand’s lineup, announced at the end of February 2017. This smartphone will have 12/5 megapixel cameras, 3 GB of RAM and Android 7.0 right out of the box.

Performance of Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 and Snapdragon 625

A comparison of the 430 and 625 models in terms of performance is far from in favor of the 28 nm processor. In Geekbench, the Snapdragon 625, based on 14nm technology and 8 Cortex A53 cores overclocked to 2.0 GHz, is confidently ahead of its competitor. Note. Charts are not displayed correctly in the Samsung Internet browser and some built-in browsers on mobile platforms. We recommend opening the publication in Google Chrome, Opera or Firefox.

All that remains is to select in the “Table Settings” those characteristics that are most important to you. To do this, just check the box next to the corresponding characteristic.

Accordingly, if you want to compare smartphones with Snapdragon 625 and Snapdragon 430 processors, first select the first option in the drop-down list and click the “New Search” button. Then select the second option and click “Add”.

As you can see, everything is extremely simple, and the database works instantly. Good luck with your search and fast smartphones!