Exynos 7904 vs Snapdragon: Which Chip Wins?

The Exynos 7904 and Snapdragon 632 are both budget-class mobile processors from 2018, but the Snapdragon 632 generally offers better CPU performance and more efficient GPU handling, while the Exynos 7904 has a slightly more modern modem and supports faster LTE. For most everyday tasks like social media, video streaming, and light gaming, the difference is small, but the Snapdragon 632 tends to feel smoother in heavier apps and games.

Background: Two Budget Chips from 2018

Both processors were announced in 2018 and aimed at the lower mid-range and budget smartphone market. Samsung designed the Exynos 7904 for its own Galaxy M and Galaxy A series phones (like the Galaxy M20 and Galaxy A10s). Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 632 was used by many brands, including Motorola, Xiaomi, and Nokia, in phones like the Moto G7 Power and Redmi 8.

The Exynos 7904 uses a 14nm manufacturing process, while the Snapdragon 632 uses a slightly older 14nm process as well. Both are octa-core CPUs, but they use different core arrangements.

How They Work: CPU and GPU Architecture

The Exynos 7904 has two high-performance Cortex-A73 cores (up to 1.8 GHz) and six power-efficient Cortex-A53 cores (up to 1.6 GHz). The Snapdragon 632 uses four Kryo 250 Gold cores (based on Cortex-A73, up to 1.8 GHz) and four Kryo 250 Silver cores (based on Cortex-A53, up to 1.8 GHz).

In practice, the Snapdragon 632’s four high-performance cores can all run at 1.8 GHz simultaneously, while the Exynos 7904 has only two. This gives the Snapdragon a clear advantage in multi-threaded tasks like video editing or heavy gaming. Single-core performance is similar, but the Snapdragon 632 often scores slightly higher in benchmark tests like Geekbench.

For graphics, the Exynos 7904 has a Mali-G71 MP2 GPU, while the Snapdragon 632 has an Adreno 506. Adreno GPUs are generally better optimized for Android games, so the Snapdragon 632 tends to deliver more stable frame rates and better thermal behavior.

Connectivity and Other Features

The Exynos 7904 has a newer LTE modem (Cat. 12) that supports download speeds up to 600 Mbps, while the Snapdragon 632’s modem (Cat. 7) maxes out at 300 Mbps. If you live in an area with very fast LTE-A networks, the Exynos might be slightly better for downloads, but the difference is rarely noticeable in daily use.

Both chips support Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi. The Exynos 7904 supports 4K video recording, but the Snapdragon 632 is limited to 1080p. However, the Snapdragon 632 can decode 4K video playback, which is more common for streaming.

Comparing Performance: Benchmarks and Real Usage

In AnTuTu (v7) benchmarks, the Snapdragon 632 typically scores around 110,000–120,000, while the Exynos 7904 scores around 100,000–110,000. The gap is not huge, but it shows up in sustained workloads.

• Daily apps: Both handle WhatsApp, YouTube, and Chrome without any noticeable lag.
• Gaming: PUBG Mobile runs at low settings on both, but the Snapdragon 632 holds a more stable 30 fps, while the Exynos 7904 might drop to 25 fps in busy scenes.
• Multitasking: The Snapdragon 632’s extra high-performance cores make switching between apps slightly smoother.
• Heat: The Adreno 506 in the Snapdragon 632 tends to run cooler than the Mali-G71 in the Exynos 7904 during long gaming sessions.

In real-world use, most people would not notice a major difference unless they play demanding games or do heavy video editing.

How to Choose Between Them

If you are choosing a phone with one of these chips, consider what matters most to you:

• Gaming performance: Pick the Snapdragon 632.
• LTE download speeds: Pick the Exynos 7904.
• Video recording: Pick the Exynos 7904 if you want 4K recording.
• Battery life: Both are similar, but the Exynos 7904’s two high-performance cores might be slightly more efficient for light tasks.
• Software updates: Check the phone brand’s track record, as this varies more than the chip.

Also consider the overall phone: screen, battery size, camera quality, and price matter more than the chip alone. A phone with a Snapdragon 632 and a 5000 mAh battery may outlast one with an Exynos 7904 and a 4000 mAh battery.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that all Exynos chips are worse than Snapdragon. That is not true for every generation, but in this specific comparison, the Snapdragon 632 does have a slight edge in CPU performance. Another misconception is that more cores always mean better performance—the Exynos 7904 has 8 cores, but only 2 are high-performance, so it is not necessarily faster than a 4-core chip with all high-performance cores.

A common problem with the Exynos 7904 is thermal throttling during prolonged gaming, which can cause frame drops. The Snapdragon 632 also throttles, but less aggressively. Both chips can struggle with heavy multitasking, so closing background apps helps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which chip is better for gaming, Exynos 7904 or Snapdragon 632?

The Snapdragon 632 is better for gaming because its Adreno 506 GPU is better optimized for Android games and its four high-performance CPU cores provide more consistent performance. Games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile run more smoothly on the Snapdragon 632.

Does the Exynos 7904 support 5G?

No, neither the Exynos 7904 nor the Snapdragon 632 supports 5G. They are both 4G LTE chips from 2018. If you need 5G, you need a newer processor like the Snapdragon 690 or Exynos 880.

Which chip has better battery life?

Battery life depends more on the phone’s battery capacity and screen than the chip. However, the Exynos 7904’s two high-performance cores can be more efficient for light tasks because the six low-power cores handle most activities. In practice, both chips offer similar battery life.

Can the Exynos 7904 record 4K video?

Yes, the Exynos 7904 supports 4K video recording at 30 fps. The Snapdragon 632 only supports up to 1080p recording. If 4K recording is a priority, the Exynos 7904 is the better choice.

Is the Snapdragon 632 faster than the Exynos 7904 in everyday tasks?

In everyday tasks like opening apps, scrolling social media, and browsing the web, the difference is barely noticeable. The Snapdragon 632 may feel slightly more responsive in heavy multitasking, but both are fine for basic use.

Which chip is more power-efficient?

Both are built on the same 14nm process, so efficiency is similar. The Exynos 7904’s big.LITTLE design (2+6) can save power by using only the low-power cores for light tasks, but the Snapdragon 632’s 4+4 design also scales well. In real usage, battery life is more affected by the phone’s screen and battery size.

Final Verdict

For most people, the Snapdragon 632 is the better choice because of its superior gaming performance and more consistent CPU behavior. The Exynos 7904 offers 4K recording and faster LTE, but those features matter less to the average user. If you are buying a used phone, check the specific model and its condition, as software updates and battery health can influence performance more than the chip itself.

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