Snapdragon 845 vs 835: Key Upgrades Explained

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 is more advanced than the Snapdragon 835 primarily in CPU performance (about 25–30% faster), GPU graphics (about 30% faster), and power efficiency, thanks to a newer 10nm process, a revised CPU core design (Cortex-A75-based), and an upgraded Adreno 630 GPU. It also brings significant improvements in AI processing, 4K video capture, and connectivity (support for Gigabit LTE and Bluetooth 5).

Background: The 835’s Legacy and the 845’s Arrival

The Snapdragon 835, released in early 2017, was a major leap for Qualcomm—it was the first flagship chip built on a 10nm process, and it powered most Android flagships of that year, including the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Pixel 2. It used a custom CPU design (Kryo 280) based on ARM’s Cortex-A73 cores, and its Adreno 540 GPU was praised for its efficiency.

The Snapdragon 845, announced in December 2017 and shipped in early 2018, was designed to address the 835’s main weaknesses: CPU performance that lagged behind Apple’s A11, limited AI capabilities, and a lack of native support for 4K HDR video recording. The 845 also aimed to improve battery life by pushing more work to dedicated low-power components.

CPU Architecture: From A73 to A75

The most significant internal change is the CPU core. The 835’s Kryo 280 uses four performance cores (Cortex-A73-based) and four efficiency cores (Cortex-A53-based). The 845’s Kryo 385 uses the newer Cortex-A75 architecture for its performance cores, which offers a much higher IPC (instructions per clock) and better branch prediction.

• Performance cores: 835 runs at up to 2.45 GHz; 845 runs at up to 2.8 GHz.
• Efficiency cores: Both use Cortex-A53, but the 845’s are clocked slightly higher (1.9 GHz vs 1.9 GHz, but with a newer interconnect).
• L2 cache: The 845 has a larger, shared L2 cache (1MB per cluster vs 512KB on the 835).

In real-world benchmarks, the 845 scores about 25–30% higher in multi-core CPU tests (e.g., Geekbench) than the 835. The A75 architecture also supports DynamIQ, which allows the CPU clusters to share resources more efficiently, reducing latency.

GPU and Graphics: Adreno 540 vs Adreno 630

The Adreno 630 in the 845 is roughly 30% faster than the Adreno 540 in the 835. It also supports newer graphics APIs, including Vulkan 1.0 and OpenGL ES 3.2, and adds support for HDR10+ playback and display.

The 630 also includes a dedicated “Display Processing Unit” that can handle HDR tone mapping and color management, which offloads work from the GPU and saves power. For gamers, this means higher frame rates in titles like PUBG Mobile and Fortnite, and the ability to run games at higher detail settings without thermal throttling as quickly.

AI and Machine Learning: The Hexagon 685 DSP

The 835 had a Hexagon 682 DSP that could handle some AI tasks, but the 845’s Hexagon 685 is significantly more capable. It supports Qualcomm’s AI Engine, which combines the CPU, GPU, and DSP to run on-device neural networks up to three times faster than the 835.

This enables features like real-time object recognition in the camera, voice assistants that work offline, and smart photo editing. For example, a phone with the 845 can blur backgrounds in portraits in real-time, while a 835 phone might need to upload the image to the cloud.

Imaging and Video: 4K HDR and 480fps Slow-Mo

The 845’s Spectra 280 ISP (Image Signal Processor) brings several camera upgrades:

• 4K HDR video recording: The 835 could record 4K at 30fps, but only in standard dynamic range. The 845 supports 4K HDR (HDR10 and HLG) at 60fps, with better dynamic range.
• 480fps slow-motion: The 845 can capture 720p video at 480fps (vs 240fps on the 835), allowing smoother slow-mo.
• Dual camera support: Both support dual cameras, but the 845 adds support for a telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and depth sensing simultaneously.

Connectivity and Battery Life

The 845 integrates the X20 LTE modem, which supports download speeds up to 1.2 Gbps (Cat 18), while the 835’s X16 modem tops out at 1 Gbps (Cat 16). In practice, you won’t see those speeds on most networks, but the 845 also supports more carrier aggregation bands, which can improve real-world signal reliability.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported on both, but the 845 adds support for dual Bluetooth audio, allowing you to connect two pairs of wireless headphones simultaneously. The 845 also has a lower idle power draw, thanks to the improved 10nm process (though both are 10nm, the 845’s is a refined second-gen version). Many reviewers found that 845 phones had better battery life than 835 phones with the same battery capacity.

How to Choose Between Them

If you’re deciding between a phone with a 835 and one with a 845, consider your priorities:

• Gaming: The 845’s GPU is noticeably better for heavy 3D games.
• Camera: If you shoot a lot of video, the 845’s 4K HDR and 480fps slow-mo are worth it.
• Longevity: The 845 is more future-proof for software updates and new AI features.
• Price: Phones with the 835 are often significantly cheaper now, and for basic tasks like browsing and social media, you won’t notice a difference.

For most users, the 845 is the better choice if you can afford it, but the 835 is still perfectly capable for everyday use.

Common Misconceptions

“The 845 is a 7nm chip.” No, both the 835 and 845 are built on a 10nm process. The 845 uses a slightly improved 10nm LPP (Low Power Plus) node, but it’s still 10nm. The first 7nm Snapdragon was the 855.

“The 845 has more cores.” Both have 8 cores (4+4). The difference is in the core architecture, not the count.

“The 845 supports 5G.” No, the 845’s X20 modem is 4G LTE only. 5G support came with the Snapdragon 855 and later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Snapdragon 845 worth upgrading from the 835?

If you’re a heavy gamer or content creator, yes—the GPU and video capabilities are a clear step up. For casual users, the difference is less noticeable, and you might be better off waiting for a newer chip.

Does the Snapdragon 845 overheat?

Like any flagship chip, it can throttle under sustained load, but the 845’s improved efficiency means it generally runs cooler than the 835. Good thermal design in the phone matters more than the chip itself.

Can the 845 run 5G networks?

No, the 845 does not have a 5G modem. You need a phone with a Snapdragon 855 or newer (or a separate 5G modem) for 5G connectivity.

Which is better for battery life?

The 845 is more power-efficient, especially for video playback and gaming, so it typically offers longer battery life than the 835 for the same battery capacity.

Is the Snapdragon 845 still good in 2024?

It’s still usable for everyday tasks and light gaming, but it lacks 5G and the latest AI features. For a budget phone, it’s fine, but don’t expect flagship-level performance.

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