How Snapdragon Series Define Mobile Performance: Flagship to Entry-Level

Qualcomm has produced hundreds of Snapdragon processors over the years, starting from the original QSD8250 in 2007. To give you a good overview, Snapdragon processors offer excellent performance, especially for gaming. The GPU (like the Adreno) is strong and supports features like Ray Tracing for improved graphics, Snapdragon processors are generally grouped into series which indicate their performance tier and target market.

Here is a breakdown of the major Snapdragon series, including both the older and newer naming conventions:

1. Flagship Series (Ultimate Performance)

These are used in the highest-end, flagship smartphones. The Snapdragon 8 Series is synonymous with premium Android smartphones. These mobile platforms are packed with breakthrough innovations, industry-leading technologies, and the latest advancements in hardware and software for the ultimate in performance, photography, mobile gaming, connectivity, and AI. The Snapdragon 8 Series is where innovations—never before seen in mobile—come to life. Our best-in-class portfolio of platforms power the most dynamic flagship smartphones, delivering extraordinary mobile experiences to users around the world.

Series	Target Devices	Examples (Older)	Examples (Newer)
Snapdragon 8	Premium Flagships	835, 845, 855, 865, 888	8 Gen 1, 8+ Gen 1, 8 Gen 2, 8 Gen 3
Snapdragon S	Early Flagships (Pre-2013)	S1, S2, S3, S4 (Pro/Prime)	(No longer in use)

2. Premium/High-Tier Series (High-End Performance)

These bridge the gap between flagship and mid-range, offering premium features at a lower cost. Delivering the most in-demand features and next-gen technologies, the Snapdragon 7 Series showcases cutting-edge flagship experiences across photography, gaming, AI, and beyond—making this a more accessible option. These robust mobile platforms power faster and smarter high-tier smartphones, fueling some of the most immersive mobile experiences.

Series	Target Devices	Examples (Older)	Examples (Newer)
Snapdragon 7	Premium Mid-Range	710, 720G, 730/732G, 765G	7 Gen 1, 7+ Gen 2, 7 Gen 3, 7+ Gen 3
Snapdragon 8s	“Super” Mid-Range/Lite Flagship	(Newer concept)	8s Gen 3

3. Mid-Range Series (Balanced Performance)

Excellent performance for everyday use and moderate gaming, often seen in popular mid-range phones. Get ready for performance, efficiency, and versatility with the Snapdragon 6 Series. These powerful mobile platforms are designed to provide impressive experiences in entertainment and productivity. Striking an excellent balance of power and performance, the Snapdragon 6 Series fuels a wide variety of mid-range smartphones for users around the world.

Series	Target Devices	Examples (Older)	Examples (Newer)
Snapdragon 6	Mid-Range/Upper Mainstream	625, 660, 690, 695	6 Gen 1

4. Entry-Level Series (Essential Performance)

Designed for affordable smartphones, focusing on essential features and battery life. Ideal for entry-level smartphone consumers, the Snapdragon 4 Series supports some of the most popular mobile experiences. Packed with all the essentials, these mobile platforms provide notable performance, swift connectivity, and useful on-device features to provide easy, efficient, and entertaining experiences.

Series	Target Devices	Examples (Older)	Examples (Newer)
Snapdragon 4	Entry-Level/Budget	410, 439, 450, 480 5G	4 Gen 1, 4 Gen 2
Snapdragon 2	Ultra-Budget/Basic	200, 210, 212, 215	(Mostly phased out)

5. Other Platforms

Qualcomm also uses the Snapdragon brand for processors outside of smartphones:

Compute Platforms (e.g., Snapdragon X Series): Designed for Windows laptops (e.g., 8cx Gen 3, Snapdragon X Elite).
Snapdragon Wear Platforms: For smartwatches and wearables (e.g., Wear 4100+, W5+ Gen 1).
Snapdragon Automotive: For in-car entertainment and driver assistance systems.

Understanding the Naming

The newer naming scheme is quite straightforward:

Higher First Number: Better performance (8 > 7 > 6 > 4).
Gen + Number: Indicates the generation (e.g., 8 Gen 3 is newer and better than 8 Gen 2).
+ (Plus): Indicates a mid-cycle refresh with higher clock speeds (better performance/efficiency) than the non-Plus variant (e.g., 8+ Gen 1 > 8 Gen 1).
s (Sub-Flagship): Indicates a toned-down, more affordable variant of the flagship line, often with a slightly different core configuration or lower clock speeds (e.g., 8s Gen 3 is below the 8 Gen 3).

Since “all processors” is so extensive, I recommend focusing on a specific tier or comparing a few.

In summary: The easiest way to gauge a Snapdragon’s performance is by the first number in its name (e.g., 8 is flagship, 7 is premium, 6 is mid-range, 4 is entry-level). The newer “Gen” naming convention follows this same principle.