Qualcomm’s naming convention has become so confusing that it’s increasingly difficult to identify which CPU is actually an upgrade.
To be frank, the Snapdragon S series within the Snapdragon series is causing a lot of confusion, particularly in the Snapdragon 6 series.
Talking about the 7 series, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and 7 Gen 3 have become the standard, as most modern mid-range phones are equipped with these two CPUs.
Smartphones from Moto, Xiaomi, Poco, and the newly launched HTC U24 Pro are powered by these two CPUs.
Based on the naming convention, it’s evident that the 7 Gen 3 will succeed the 7s Gen 2, but the question remains: how much more powerful is it?
Let’s explore this in this Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 vs 7 Gen 3 comparison.
Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 vs 7 Gen 3 Comparison
| Details | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | September 15, 2023 | November 17, 2023 |
| Model Number | SM7435-AB | SM7550-AB |
| Process | 4nm Samsung | 4nm TSMC |
| CPU | Four Cortex-A78 @ 2.4GHz, Four Cortex-A55 @ 1.95GHz | One Kryo Prime (Cortex-A715) @ 2.63GHz, Three Kryo Gold (Cortex-A715) @ 2.4GHz, Four Kryo Silver (Cortex-A510) @ 1.8GHz |
| Cores | 8 | 8 |
| Instruction set | ARMv8.2-A | ARMv8.6-A |
| TDP | 5W | 6W |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Adreno 720 |
| GPU Architecture | Adreno 700 | Adreno 700 |
| Neural processor (NPU) | Yes | Yes |
| Memory | LPDDR5 | LPDDR5 |
| Memory frequency | 3200 MHz | 3200 MHz |
| Max size | 16GB | 16GB |
| Storage type | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Max display resolution | 2520 x 1080 | 3360 x 1600 |
| Max camera resolution | 200MP | 200MP |
| Video recording | 4K@30fps | 4k@60fps, 1k@120fps |
| Modem | Snapdragon X62 | Snapdragon X63 |
| 4G | LTE Cat. 22 | LTE Cat. 22 |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Download speed | Up to 2900 Mbps | Up to 5000 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | Up to 1600 Mbps | Up to 3500 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi | 6 | 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 |
These are the main differences between Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and 7 Gen 3. It’s evident that SD 7 Gen 3 features more powerful cores and a higher TDP. Additionally, the GPU performance is superior on the SD 7 Gen 3.
Performance benchmarks will provide you with a clearer understanding.
Performance Benchmarks
| Test | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu | 555000 to 655000 | 800000 to 860000 |
| GeekBench 6 | Single Core: 1020 Multi Core: 3000 | Single Core: 1150 Multi Core: 3400 |
| GPU Score | 2200 | 4150 |
Please note that the variance in AnTuTu scores can vary depending on the specific smartphone models. For example, well-optimized software and effective cooling systems can keep a smartphone cool, potentially leading to higher AnTuTu scores.
Based on the results, it’s evident that there is a significant disparity in CPU and GPU performance between SD 7s Gen 2 and SD 7 Gen 3.
While SD 7s Gen 2 handles everyday tasks well, including some heavier ones to some extent, SD 7 Gen 3 excels consistently in demanding tasks.
Also, check out the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 vs 695 comparison.
Power Efficiency
Both CPUs use a 4nm manufacturing process, indicating they should be equally power efficient. However, there are several other factors to consider.
For instance, Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 uses more powerful cores, which means this CPU may consume more power and result in faster battery drain. In this regard, the 7s Gen 2 performs better.
However, another significant factor is the manufacturer. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is made by Samsung, while the SD 7 Gen 3 is made by TSMC. TSMC is known for producing superior CPUs compared to Samsung, which may impact heating and power efficiency.
So, after taking all factors into account, we can say that the power efficiency between the two CPUs is nearly equal, with only a slight difference of around 3-5%. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is slightly more efficient due to its less powerful cores and lower TDP.
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Throttling and Heating Issues
Throttling and heating issues primarily depend on the vapor chamber used in a smartphone. A larger vapor chamber typically reduces throttling and overheating.
Samsung-made CPUs tend to struggle more with maintaining peak performance without overheating, often resulting in CPU throttling. Interestingly, Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 exhibits minimal throttling.
In a 15-minute test, the CPU throttles to around 84-86% of its maximum performance, indicating only a 14-16% performance degradation. In a 30-minute test, throttling reduces performance to around 80%, indicating that even during heavy use over longer periods, SD 7s Gen 2 maintains stable performance.
One might expect improved throttling performance from SD 7 Gen 3, being manufactured by TSMC, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Throttling performance is nearly equal between the two, despite SD 7 Gen 3 utilizing more powerful cores and delivering better overall performance.
To illustrate, let’s consider an example: If SD 7s Gen 2 scores 550,000 in AnTuTu and throttles by 15%, the performance decreases to 467,500. In comparison, if SD 7 Gen 3 scores 800,000 and also throttles by 15%, the performance remains around 680,000.
These numbers show that even if the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 throttles similarly or occasionally worse than the 7s Gen 2, it still achieves better overall performance.
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Gaming Performance
Gaming performance is noticeably superior on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3.
Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 handles normal gaming adequately and can run heavier titles, albeit at lower settings and only for shorter durations before heating up and experiencing significant frame rate drops.
On the other hand, Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 uses a more powerful GPU and delivers significantly better gaming performance. You can enjoy high settings in demanding games with smoother gameplay.
Overall, if you play games casually, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is a viable option. However, for heavy gaming, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is the clear choice due to its significant power advantage.
You might also like the Tensor G3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 comparison.
Conclusion: Which is Better?
Qualcomm’s naming convention has indeed caused confusion, but in this particular comparison, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 proves to be significantly better than the 7s Gen 2.
Interestingly, SD 7s Gen 2 is just a slightly improved version of SD 6 Gen 1.
Regardless of the specifics, if you are confused between SD 7s Gen 2 and SD 7 Gen 3, we strongly recommend opting for 7 Gen 3.
Additionally, we advise considering the pricing carefully due to intense competition. With so many options available, it’s important not to overspend on these confusing CPUs.
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FAQs
1. Is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 a good processor?
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is a capable processor for everyday use. Despite being a slightly improved version of SD 6 Gen 1, it handles routine tasks well.
However, it’s not recommended for heavy tasks. Apart from that limitation, it performs adequately for normal usage.
2. Is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 good?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is a great CPU, positioned on the higher end of the mid-range spectrum. It offers excellent performance for everyday tasks and can handle heavy-duty operations effectively.
3. Which MediaTek processor is equal to Snapdragon 7 Gen 3?
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 competes with MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro, but its performance is more comparable to the MediaTek Dimensity 8200.
4. Which chipset should I choose for a new smartphone in 2024?
You should definitely opt for the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 for better overall performance in every aspect. However, if you’re a casual user, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 will still be a decent choice.
5. Is there a significant difference in price between devices using Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and Snapdragon 7 Gen 3?
Yes, there’s a noticeable price difference between devices using Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. In the USA, smartphones with SD 7s Gen 2 typically range from $300 to $350, while smartphones with SD 7 Gen 3 are priced around $400 to $480.
Please note that these prices can vary based on the brand and additional features such as display quality, camera capabilities, RAM, storage capacity, and other factors.
So, that concludes our Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 vs 7 Gen 3 comparison. If you still have any doubts, feel free to ask us in the comment section below.
You might also like the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 vs 7200 comparison.
We also welcome your thoughts and feedback on whether you agree or disagree with the points mentioned here.
