Qualcomm has just unveiled a new mid-range mobile processor at the 4G/5G Summit in Hong Kong. Named as the Snapdragon 636, the latest SoC comes with enhanced gaming and display technology support over the Snapdragon 630 Mobile Platform. Qualcomm will start shipping the newly announced chip from November 2017 and phones equipped with Snapdragon 636 might start to appear near the end of this year or early 2018.
Snapdragon 636 Specifications
Speaking of the specifications, the Snapdragon 636 Mobile Platform packs an octa-core Kyro 260 CPU setup along with the Adreno 509 GPU. This is the second time after the Snapdragon 660 that the celebrated Kyro architecture is used in a non-flagship chipset. However, while the Kyro 260 cores of the SD 660 runs at 2.2 GHz; that of the Snapdragon 636 are clocked a bit lower at 1.8 GHz.
Qualcomm claims that the latest SoC is optimized for Full HD+ 18:9 displays. Coming to video support, the Snapdragon 636 can record and playback 4K Ultra HD footages at 30fps and 1080p at up to 120fps. The newly launched chipset sports the renowned Qualcomm Spectra 160 ISP and supports up to 16 MP dual camera and 24 MP single camera.
Connectivity-wise, the Snapdragon 636 is equipped with the X12 modem and can facilitate up to 600 Mbps download speed and 150 Mbps upload speed through cellular networks. Similar to other middle-class Qualcomm processors, the new one too supports almost every mobile networks on the planet.
Talking of the memory department, the SD 636 can take up to 8 GB of LPDDR4 RAM clocked at 1333 MHz. Last, but not the least, the 14 nm manufacturing technique of the new chip will return some good battery life.
Snapdragon 636 Availability
Qualcomm is set to ship the latest processor to the smartphone manufacturers from November 2017. So, we may see phones with Snapdragon 636 later this year or early next year.
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A 32-bit operating system can only support up to 4GB of RAM. 64-bit allows more than 4GB, giving increased performance. It also allows you to run 64-bit apps.
With integrated graphics you don’t need to buy a separate graphics card.
Small semiconductors provide better performance and reduced power consumption. Chipsets with a higher number of transistors, semiconductor components of electronic devices, offer more computational power. A small form factor allows more transistors to fit on a chip, therefore increasing its performance.
The graphics processing unit [GPU] has a higher clock speed.
DirectX is used in games, with newer versions supporting better graphics.
The fifth-generation wireless technology delivers higher speeds and lower latency than the previous, fourth-generation tech.
When the GPU is running below its limitations, it can boost to a higher clock speed in order to give increased performance.
OpenGL ES is used for games on mobile devices such as smartphones. Newer versions support better graphics.
Some apps use OpenCL to apply the power of the graphics processing unit [GPU] for non-graphical computing. Newer versions introduce more functionality and better performance.
Performance
The CPU speed indicates how many processing cycles per second can be executed by a CPU, considering all of its cores [processing units]. It is calculated by adding the clock rates of each core or, in the case of multi-core processors employing different microarchitectures, of each group of cores.
More threads result in faster performance and better multitasking.
Using big.LITTLE technology, a chip can switch between two sets of processor cores to maximize performance and battery life. For example, when playing a game the more powerful cores will be used to increase performance, whereas checking email will use the less powerful cores to maximize battery life.
Heterogeneous Multi-Processing [HMP] is a more advanced version of big.LITTLE technology. In this setup, a processor can utilize all cores at the same time, or just a single core for low-intensity tasks. This can provide powerful performance or increased battery life respectively.
When the CPU is running below its limitations, it can boost to a higher clock speed in order to give increased performance.
L2 cache
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
A larger L2 cache results in faster CPU and system-wide performance.
L1 cache
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
A larger L1 cache results in faster CPU and system-wide performance.
The clock multiplier controls the speed of the CPU.
L3 cache
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
A larger L3 cache results in faster CPU and system-wide performance.
Memory
It can support faster memory, which will give quicker system performance.
DDR [Double Data Rate] memory is the most common type of RAM. Newer versions of DDR memory support higher maximum speeds and are more energy-efficient.
The maximum amount of memory [RAM] supported.
This is the maximum rate that data can be read from or stored into memory.
More memory channels increases the speed of data transfer between the memory and the CPU.
A higher version of eMMC allows faster memory interfaces, having a positive effect on the performance of a device. For example, when transferring files from your computer to the internal storage over USB.
Error-correcting code memory can detect and correct data corruption. It is used when is it essential to avoid corruption, such as scientific computing or when running a server.
Features
The system on a chip [SoC] has an integrated LTE cellular chip. LTE is capable of downloading at faster speeds than older, 3G technology.
The download speed is a measurement of the internet connection bandwidth, representing the maximum data transfer rate at which a device can access online content.
The upload speed is a measurement of the internet connection bandwidth, representing the maximum data transfer rate at which a device can send information to a server or another device.
A technology integrated into the processor to secure the device for use with features such as mobile payments and streaming video using digital rights management [DRM].
Multithreading technology [such as Intel's Hyperthreading or AMD's Simultaneous Multithreading] provides increased performance by splitting each of the processor's physical cores into virtual cores, also known as threads. This way, each core can run two instruction streams at once.
NX bit helps protect the computer from malicious attacks.
NEON provides acceleration for media processing, such as listening to MP3s.
Vector Floating-Point [VFP] is used by the processor to deliver increased performance in areas such as digital imaging.
The CPU can decode more instructions per clock [IPC], meaning that the CPU performs better
Benchmarks
Geekbench 5 is a cross-platform benchmark that measures a processor's single-core performance. [Source: Primate Labs, 2023]
Geekbench 5 is a cross-platform benchmark that measures a processor's multi-core performance. [Source: Primate Labs, 2023]
This benchmark measures the performance of the CPU using multiple threads.
This benchmark measures the performance of the CPU using a single thread.
This benchmark measures the performance of the CPU when it is overclocked.
Miscellaneous
Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
Is Snapdragon 636 a good processor?
Hence, it is a better choice for gaming and heavy usage. Question: Which is better Snapdragon 630 or 636? Answer: Snapdragon 636 is better than 630 because it has powerful Kryo 260 CPU Cores while 630 has the weaker Cortex-A53 cores. It also has a better GPU [Adreno 509] compared to Adreno 508 of 630.
When was Snapdragon 636 released?
Qualcomm Snapdragon 636.
Which Qualcomm Snapdragon is better?
What is the fastest Android phone processor? The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is currently the fastest processor available for Android smartphones.
Is Snapdragon 626 good for gaming?
The 626 is more than enough if you want a Lag Free experience , Gaming[on Medium settings, or High in some games]. Why can't Snapdragon's 855 eight core processor barely match Apple's three generation old A10 processors in single core results?