The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Performance Preview: Sizing Up Cortex-X2
by Dr. Ian Cutress on December 14, 2021 8:00 AM ESTConclusionary Remarks: Arm v9 for Android
When we move through significant revisions of Arm’s architecture, up to v8 and now v9, it’s important to note that the new features defined in the ISA do not always fundamentally improve performance – it’s up to the microarchitecture teams to build the cores to the ISA specifications, and the implementation teams to enable the core in silicon with frequency and power efficiency. Accomplishing that requires a good process node, design technology co-optimization, and then partners that can execute by building the best devices for that processor.
Qualcomm’s target with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is very clearly the 2022 Android Flagship smartphones. New cores, new graphics, enhanced machine learning capabilities, a step function in camera processing power, an integrated X65 modem, all built on Samsung’s 4nm process node technology. The flagship Android space is an area in which Qualcomm has been comfortable for a number of years, however the increased thermals of last generation’s Snapdragon S888 gave a number of analysts in the space a bit of a squeaky bum moment.
It’s hard to tell immediately in our small test if that still remains the case. Samsung’s 4nm node has improvements beyond the previous generation 5nm design, however Qualcomm’s presentational numbers were above and beyond those that Samsung provided, perhaps indicating that additional improvements both in architecture and implementation have led to those performance numbers.
Our testing shows +19% floating point performance on the X2 core, which is almost the +20% that Qualcomm quotes, but only +8% in integer, which is often the most quoted. We’re seeing power efficiency improvements for sure on the X2 core, with an overall efficiency improvement of 17%, but peak power has also increased, in part because some of our tests make use of the additional cache in the system. Our machine learning tests are +75% over the previous generation, although not the 4x numbers that Qualcomm states – we need to do more work here on power efficiency testing however. On the gaming side, our 'first run' numbers showcase some explosive gains in GPU throughput.
Although we’ve only done a few tests here, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the elephant in the room: MediaTek. In the last month MediaTek announced a return to the high-end with a flagship processor of its own, using the same 1+3+4 configuration with slightly higher frequencies, more cache, and built on TSMC’s N4 process. Implementation here will be the key metric I feel, so how MediaTek has been able to optimize for TSMC N4 vs Qualcomm on Samsung 4nm is going to be analyzed. I should point out here that a processor is more than just the CPU cores, as we’ll see Adreno vs Mali on graphics, the different machine learning approaches, but also how the two companies approach 5G and connectivity, which has been one of Qualcomm’s most prominent strengths to date.
We look forward to testing the Qualcomm S8g1 in more detail in the New Year, as well as how many of the main smartphone OEMs choose Qualcomm for their flagship devices.
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Reflex - Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - link
Because Lineage's security model is completely broken. It's fun to play with on very old devices but I'd never put it on a device with access to anything I cared about.iphonebestgamephone - Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - link
What exactly? How is it any different from stock roms?Mujeeb - Tuesday, December 14, 2021 - link
U have to be kidding right. iPhone se might be costing just $400 in US but surely not outside US. Outside US, it costs $500.At $500 one gets a pure andriod flagship here in India. And in sale days, we get them further $100 cheap.
Let's compare (in India):
iPhone se $500 vs Xiaomi mi 11x
A13 (GB score 3400) vs Sd 870 GB score 3400)
Genshin Impact 53 fps vs 48 fps
PUBG 90 fps vs 60 fps
Amoled fhd+ 10 bit 120hz vs ips sd 60hz
Bigger display 6.6 inch vs 4.7
Battery 5000 mah vs 1800 mah
8gb ram 128 GB storage vs 3 gb ram and 64 gb storage
33w fast charging vs slowing charging
5g ready vs backward 4g
Modern minimalistic design vs old boring design
Punch hole vs old boring design
Peak brightness 1100 nits vs 480 nits
Camera 64 mp main vs 12 MP main
........
Oh God please don't force me to tarnish this so called se edition here.
Only ones who will prefer this are losers who think owning an apple mobile makes them richer.
1_rick - Tuesday, December 14, 2021 - link
"Only ones who will prefer this are losers who think owning an apple mobile makes them richer."Don't forget about the tiny hands brigade of twentysomethings with perfect eyes. They like their small screens, too.
Fulljack - Tuesday, December 14, 2021 - link
or people who just prefer small screen, tho.isthisavailable - Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - link
lol this is such a boomer commentReflex - Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - link
I'm not saying Android sucks or trying to start a flame war. But that Android phone you mention comes with between 2-3 years of support before you are on your own, with all the security risks that entails and slow loss of app compat.Meanwhile the iPhone 6S, released six years ago, just got iOS 15 which guarantees it at least four more years of support and all apps continue to function on it. A six year old phone will have a more functional lifespan than your brand new Xiaomi.
For someone trying to get into a phone cheap, have it just work, and who does not have an interest in upgrading (and spending another $400+) every 2-3 years, Apple is dirt cheap comparatively with 3-5x the support lifecycle for only 1.25x more money (using your comparison).
It's a no-brainer. Again, for those who aren't interested in the upgrade treadmill.
flyingpants265 - Thursday, December 16, 2021 - link
Well, every phone I've used from Android has cost less than $250 so at least it's not as bad as buying a new Galaxy phone every 2 years.flyingpants265 - Thursday, December 16, 2021 - link
I'm lying because I'm including used phones in this. I bought a lot of used LGs, they drop in value like rocks. There's an LG G7 selling locally right now for $80......Maybe buying a brand new phone is for suckers.
Reflex - Friday, December 17, 2021 - link
I don't generally recommend a new phone period, but again on Android that lack of support lifecycle is a problem as used cuts significantly into the support timeframe.