Snapdragon 670 vs Snapdragon 835 – Processor Comparison

Snapdragon 670 vs. 835—which is a better processor?

Buying a smartphone isn’t an easy task, with multiple specifications and features; what a buyer must look for is the processor. So today, we shall talk about the two most popular processors—Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. At its first glance, Snapdragon 670 quite resembles Snapdragon 835, but it seems that Qualcomm has snapped out of the box with its newest semi-custom Kyro cores featuring ARM A75 and A55 cores dubbing each in Gold and Silver respectively. So which processor should you invest in? Let’s find out the key differentiations or both! 

Snapdragon 670

Mostly found in Android Smartphones and tablets, Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 (SD670) is a fast-mid-range ARM-based Soc. It is a successor of Snapdragon 660 and was released in the last quarter of 2018. One imperative aspect of this processor is the 8 Kyro 360 cores (custom design 64-bit capable), which has been segregated in two clusters. 

Out of the two, the faster cluster cores with up to 2 GHz while the power saving cluster cores up to 1.7 GHz—both can, however, function simultaneously. Besides the 8 CPU cores, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 SoC integrates with the mid-range Adreno 616 GPU with the LPDDR4X-3733 memory controller (the dual-channel 1867 MHz) and supports Bluetooth 5, Wi-Fi (802.11ac + MIMO, max. 867 Mbps), and LTE (X12 LTE modem with up to 600 Mbps download and 150 Mbps upload).

Snapdragon 670 is a reliable mid-range processor that has a faster performance speed than Snapdragon 660. Owing to its new 10nm LPP processor, this processor has improved its energy efficiency compared to the 14nm predecessors. As for the CPU, Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 combines a high-performance CPU cluster (2X Kyro, which is clocked up to 2.2 GHz) and a low-performance CPU cluster (2X Kyro, which is clocked up to 1.8 GHz). Each cluster’s clock speed is adjustable while the lowest clock speed has 310 MHz that is unverified.

Snapdragon 835

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (SD835) is a successor of Snapdragon 821. Soon after its release in the early quarters of 2017, Snapdragon 835 became the first processor manufactured in 10nm. It is a mobile platform having high-end SoC for most Android Smartphones. This high-end processor integrates with 4X Kyro 280 at 1.9 GHz (max) for increased efficiency and 4X Kyro 280 at 2.45 GHz (max) for the higher performance level. In addition to its versatile specifications, Snapdragon 835, a dual-channel 32-Bit 1866 MHz LPDDR4x memory controller, Spectra 180 Image Sensor Prozessor, X16 LTE modem, Hexagon 682 DSP, Bluetooth 5.0, Galileo Satellite Support, an UFS 2.1 controller, GLONASS, Baeidou, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad Wi-Fi, and GPS.

The Key Differentiation

Out of the two Qualcomm processor—Snapdragon 670 vs. Snapdragon 835, it is seen that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 is the savviest choice in all aspects. 

• CPU

Snapdragon 670 is designed to improve power efficiency. A testament to this fact is the processors’ CPU having 2+6 arrangements that segregate low power workloads amongst more cores in the latest mid-range smartphones SoC’s CPU. Snapdragon 670’s Kyro Silver and Gold cores are based on ARM’s Cortex A55 and A75 derivates, respectively. On the contrary, Snapdragon 835 has Kyro 280 cores, which has an older design derived from the British chip house’s A73 referential framework. 

• Imaging and graphic processing

A distinctive comparison between Snapdragon 670 vs. Snapdragon 835 also brings forth the higher imaging and graphic processing capabilities. Snapdragon 670 doesn’t fail to impress with its heftier ISP (image signal processor) than Snapdragon 835.

• Manufacturing 

As for the manufacturing process, Snapdragon 670 SoC is fabricated with a higher performance node than its older cousin, the Snapdragon 835. Thus, you can experience high-performance features for your brand new smartphone.

• GPU

In terms of the GPU, it’s a trade-off. While Snapdragon 670 Adreno 615 is optimized for power consumption, the Snapdragon 835 Adreno 540 offers a more massive punch. Well, this is quite understandable because users certainly cannot expect a heavy-duty computation performance for a mid-range smartphone. As for those looking to invest in a smartphone with a gaming performance level, Snapdragon 835’s Adreno 540 is the best Snapdragon Processor choice. 

• DSP

The final win for Snapdragon 670 is its DSP. As the popularity of AR and photography increases, DSP plays a pivotal role in today’s SoCs. While Snapdragon 835 features a DSP, having an older version of Hexagon 682, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 features the advanced Hexagon 685 DSP. Both Hexagon 682 and 685 are a part of the QDSP6 V6 68X lineup of DSPs. Although both the DSPs adequately support vector extension, machine learning frameworks, and image processing, it is the Hexagon 685, which is best suited for photographic processing and Artificial Intelligence.

The only downfall of the relatively new Snapdragon 670 is that its SoC lags behind in the spectrum of network connectivity. 

Bottom-line

Every processor has a certain unique set of features, but for the ones looking for a flamboyant mid-range smartphone, it’s the Qualcomm Snapdragon 670, which steals the show. This processor has impeccable features but within an affordable range. While Snapdragon 835 was the flagship product of 2017, the Snapdragon 670 has the most potent chipset featuring an octa-core layout—four low-powered cores and four high-powered cores. 

With its initial launch, Qualcomm claimed that the 2018 processor’s cores would improve performance by 25-30% for the heavyweight core and 15% for the lightweight core more than the Snapdragon 835. With its decreased clock speed, Snapdragon 670 is still an improvement for the 2017 flagship product Snapdragon 835. It’s no wonder that both the Qualcomm snapdragon 670 vs. 835 omm processors feature the 10nm manufacturing process. Indeed, with a smaller manufacturing process, it indicates sustained performance with efficient chips. So, if you are planning to invest in an upper-midrange phone, you can check out the specifications of Qualcomm Snapdragon 670!