Snapdragon 845 10nm? Yes, and Here’s Why It Matters

Yes, the Snapdragon 845 is built on a 10nm process node. Qualcomm announced the chip in December 2017, and it powers many flagship Android phones from 2018, including the Samsung Galaxy S9 and OnePlus 6. The 10nm lithography (specifically Samsung’s 10nm LPP FinFET process) was a key reason the 845 delivered better performance and battery life than its 14nm predecessor, the Snapdragon 835.

What “10nm” Actually Means

The “10nm” refers to the size of the smallest features etched onto the silicon die—roughly the width of a transistor gate. Smaller nodes allow more transistors in the same area, which usually means higher performance and lower power draw. For comparison, the Snapdragon 835 used a 10nm process too, but the 845 refined it. The 845’s CPU cores (four Cortex-A75 performance cores and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores) were clocked higher than the 835’s, yet the chip consumed less power under load. That’s the direct benefit of a mature 10nm process.

How the 845’s Architecture Uses 10nm

The 845’s 10nm design isn’t just about smaller transistors. It integrates several components that benefit from the denser node:

• Adreno 630 GPU: 30% faster than the 835’s Adreno 540, with better thermal headroom.
• Hexagon 685 DSP: Handles AI tasks and camera processing, offloading work from the CPU.
• Spectra 280 ISP: Supports 4K HDR video capture and slow-motion at 480fps.
• X20 LTE modem: Integrated, supporting Cat.18 speeds up to 1.2 Gbps.

All these blocks fit into a die that measures about 8.5 mm x 10 mm—roughly the size of a fingernail. The 10nm process allowed Qualcomm to pack over 5 billion transistors, a feat that would have been impossible on 14nm.

Performance and Battery Life: Real-World Impact

In benchmark tests, the 845 scored around 2,600 in Geekbench 4 single-core and 8,500 multi-core, roughly 25-30% higher than the 835. More importantly, the efficiency cores (Cortex-A55) handle background tasks at very low power. A phone with a 3,000 mAh battery could easily last a full day of moderate use, whereas a 14nm chip with similar performance would drain noticeably faster. The 10nm node also reduced heat output, so sustained gaming sessions were less likely to throttle.

How It Compares to Later Chips

The 845 was a high point for 10nm, but it wasn’t the last. The Snapdragon 855 (2019) moved to 7nm, offering another ~40% performance boost. The 865 (2020) stayed on 7nm, and the 888 (2021) jumped to 5nm. Compared to the 845, a modern mid-range chip like the Snapdragon 7-series often beats it in multi-core performance while using less power. However, the 845 remains perfectly usable for everyday tasks—browsing, messaging, video—and even some light gaming, though newer games may force lower settings.

Common Misconceptions About the 845

One frequent myth is that the 845 is “obsolete” because it lacks 5G. While the integrated X20 modem is 4G-only, many 845 phones were later paired with a separate 5G modem (like the X50) in 2019, so some devices do support 5G. Another misconception is that a 10nm chip is automatically slower than a 7nm one—not true. Clock speed, architecture, and thermal design matter more. The 845’s Cortex-A76 cores (in the 855) were a bigger jump than the node shrink alone.

Should You Buy a Phone With a Snapdragon 845 in 2024?

If you’re on a tight budget, a used flagship with an 845 can be a great value. You get a good camera, a bright OLED screen, and enough power for daily apps. But consider these caveats:

• Software updates: Most 845 phones stopped receiving Android version updates after Android 11 or 12. Security patches may also be irregular.
• Battery health: A 2018 phone likely has a degraded battery. Replacing it costs $30-$60, which you should factor in.
• 5G: If your carrier is shutting down 4G bands or you need 5G coverage, the 845 won’t help.
• Gaming: Modern heavy games (Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail) will run at low-medium settings, and the phone may get warm.

For a secondary phone or a child’s first phone, the 845 is a solid choice. For a primary device, a newer mid-range chip (like the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1) is safer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Snapdragon 845 still good for gaming?

It can handle most games from 2018-2020 at high settings, but newer titles will require lowered graphics. The Adreno 630 is roughly equivalent to a mid-range GPU from 2021. For casual games like PUBG Mobile (balanced settings) or Call of Duty Mobile, it’s fine. For demanding games like Genshin Impact, expect 30fps at low settings and noticeable heat after 20 minutes.

Does the Snapdragon 845 support 5G?

No, the integrated X20 modem is 4G LTE only. However, some phone makers paired the 845 with a separate 5G modem (like the Snapdragon X50) in specific models, such as the LG V50 ThinQ and the Galaxy S10 5G (which uses the 855, not 845). So, check the specific phone’s specs. Most 845 phones are strictly 4G.

How long will a Snapdragon 845 phone last?

With a fresh battery, a 845 phone can last another 2-3 years for basic use. The CPU is still capable, but the lack of software updates is the bigger issue. Security vulnerabilities won’t be patched, and some apps may eventually require a newer Android version. If you’re okay with that, the hardware itself is durable.

Is the Snapdragon 845 better than a Snapdragon 680?

Yes, in most ways. The 845 has faster CPU cores, a much better GPU, and a faster modem. The 680 is a budget chip from 2021, built on a 6nm process, so it’s more power-efficient, but it’s about 40% slower in multi-core and 60% slower in graphics. For gaming, the 845 wins easily. For battery life, the 680 may last longer, but the 845 is still efficient.

Can I use a Snapdragon 845 phone without a SIM card?

Yes, it works perfectly as a Wi-Fi-only device. You can use it for streaming, browsing, and even some games. The only limitation is that you won’t get calls or texts, but apps like WhatsApp and Google Voice can work over Wi-Fi. This makes it a good option for a kids’ tablet replacement or a media player.

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